Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 326: A Different Place

This adjustment was made after the conclusion of the first game.

It was a suggestion from Ochiai to Coach Kataoka. In fact, Ochiai's recommendation was not limited to promoting Shirasu to the third batting position. He even proposed removing Maezono from the starting lineup entirely.

However, after careful consideration, Kataoka only partially accepted the suggestion.

He merely adjusted Shirasu to the No. 3 slot without revoking Maezono's starting qualification. Maezono retained his position as a central batter but was moved down to the No. 5 spot.

As it turned out, Ochiai's advice was well-validated.

At the start of the second game, Seidou High School gained the upper hand in the very first inning.

Eijun remained stationed in left field, while Kawakami started on the mound. Sano High School failed to score a single point.

Seidou, on the other hand, secured three runs through consecutive hits in the first inning alone.

They continued to score in subsequent innings.

In the top half of the fifth inning, the captain, Miyuki, hit a home run, adding two more runs.

The lead extended to 11 runs.

In the bottom half, Kawakami delivered precise pitches and secured three outs, bringing the game to an early end in just five innings.

In this game, Eijun's performance was once again outstanding.

His outfield defense was flawless, even catching a difficult and well-placed hit from the opposing team.

Offensively, Eijun shined with three hits in three at-bats, earning two RBIs.

Watching from the sidelines, Ochiai praised Eijun:

"Even without considering his role as a pitcher, Eijun as a first-year outfielder with such defensive and offensive abilities could easily secure a starting spot on Seidou's roster. Given the way his batting skills are improving, he has a strong potential to become the core of Seidou's lineup in the future."

Eijun's stellar performance and the slight adjustments to the lineup had a calming effect on the spectators, who were beginning to regain confidence in the team's strength.

If Seidou could maintain this momentum and continue honing each player's skills, it was possible for them to rebuild their formidable batting lineup—or even surpass their previous level.

The growth of Eijun and Furuya as powerful two-way players was undeniably impressive.

...

After the Game:

Sano High School's players packed up and left with dejected expressions, while Seidou High School's players wore relaxed smiles.

Coach Kataoka, however, maintained a serious expression.

Hidden beneath his sunglasses, his eyes showed a hint of hesitation as they swept over certain players.

Although the improvements in the second game were evident, problems remained unresolved.

The biggest issue was the lack of continuity in the batting lineup.

The lower order repeatedly failed to maintain momentum, breaking the flow after Eijun's at-bat.

Neither Shoji, Tojo, nor Kawakami managed to hit a single successful shot in the game.

Tojo, despite being a former pitcher with strong arm strength and a good feel for the ball, struggled with a lack of experience and undeveloped batting techniques.

The lower batting order posed a critical challenge.

However, this didn't mean the upper lineup was flawless. Kuramochi and Haruichi still needed to improve their coordination, while Maezono's inconsistency remained a problem.

Coach Kataoka was now genuinely reconsidering Ochiai's earlier suggestions.

Whether or not Maezono is suitable to be part of the cleanup lineup, or even capable of handling the responsibility of being a starting first baseman, has become a major dilemma for Coach Kataoka.

Within Seidou High, differing opinions have started to emerge.

Compared to Yamaguchi, the substitute first baseman strongly recommended by Ochiai, Maezono is equally powerful in terms of strength. However, his consistency pales in comparison.

Yamaguchi has not only maintained steady batting form but has also demonstrated outstanding cleanup abilities during multiple internal practice games, further solidifying Ochiai's conviction that Yamaguchi should be a starter.

However, Coach Kataoka is unwilling to give up on Maezono so easily.

In Kataoka's mind, Maezono possesses immense potential. If he can overcome his current obstacles, his batting ability could reach a whole new level.

It's precisely because of these two opposing factors that Kataoka finds himself unusually torn—a rare state for him.

This situation is notably different from what happened in the original storyline, as Seidou High's current predicament is drastically different.

Given these changes, it's only natural for Kataoka to have some shifts in his thinking.

After the match, most of the Seidou players carried relaxed expressions. Winning a game early, especially ending it in just five innings, clearly demonstrated their strength.

For them, this was at least a passing mark.

But one person was an exception—the player causing Kataoka headaches and whom Ochiai held in low regard: Kenta Maezono.

He was the only one with a dark expression after the game.

With the lineup changes leading to a five-inning victory, Maezono had only managed one hit out of three at-bats.

This kind of performance made him feel extremely frustrated.

"If this keeps up..."

Maezono shook his head, trying to dispel a terrifying thought from his mind, though his expression remained grim.

Seeing Maezono's state, Haruichi, his dormmate, wanted to step forward and say something.

Smack!

Eijun gently patted Haruichi on the shoulder and shook his head.

"Eijun-kun?"

"Haruichi, sometimes there are things outsiders shouldn't interfere with. Besides, Maezono-senpai is still our senior, and he surely has his own thoughts. As juniors, it's not our place to say too much."

Watching Maezono pack his bags, a peculiar gleam flashed in Eijun's eyes as he spoke meaningfully to Haruichi.

Haruichi blinked in surprise before seeming to understand something. He nodded lightly.

"Yeah, I get it."

In times of confusion, one can only rely on themselves to find a way out.

For an athlete, this is even more essential.

If Maezono-senpai truly wants to secure his place on the team, his only choice is to keep pushing forward relentlessly.

You had your shining moments in the original story.

Don't let this be the point where you fall behind.

Eijun's gaze grew deep as he looked toward Maezono, silently thinking to himself.

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