The players from Hoshiryu High School, upon seeing this, were all dumbfounded.
Originally, they all thought it was great that Sawamura didn't take the field directly!
Though it felt a bit embarrassing as if they were being underestimated by the other side, to be honest, the players from Hoshiryu High School had to admit that they felt a huge sense of relief, and at the same time, their hope for victory in the game had reignited.
"Stay calm, we have a chance to win!"
The teammates repeatedly told themselves, preparing to find an opportunity to teach the cocky guys from Seidou High School a lesson.
Hoshiryu High School was definitely not a punching bag.
With Seidou High School's overconfidence, they would definitely make those players regret their arrogance.
The players from Hoshiryu High School had carefully considered their strategy.
They had done some research on Furuya, although not as much as Sawamura, but they were already clear on his abilities and characteristics.
For the first two rounds of batting, they didn't expect to get a hit or score.
Getting a hit or a score didn't matter.
What mattered most was figuring out the opponent's approach.
Then, they would strike decisively and crush their opponent.
Naturally, the more points the better, and if things went smoothly, they hoped to have a large lead by the time the game neared its final innings.
In that case, even if Sawamura returned to the mound, there wouldn't be enough time for him to turn the game around.
The players from Hoshiryu High School had considered every possible aspect.
During their batting practice, they had even simulated facing 155 km/h fastballs. (97 mph)
To be honest, those balls were really fast.
They flew past in an instant.
If they were a bit late with their swings, it would be nearly impossible to hit them.
But after their hard work, everyone on the team had successfully managed to adjust.
With such terrifying batting power, they should be able to make an impact when facing Seidou High School's players.
They had also thoroughly studied Sawamura's pitching form.
Though it wasn't exactly the same as the actual speed increase, the feel was very similar.
The players of Hoshiryu High School knew they had to be extra cautious.
In this situation, the best approach was to be able to hit balls with such speeds.
To improve their swing speed, they had trained to face 155 km/h fastballs.
But one thing they hadn't accounted for was Furuya's improvement.
If they could handle a 155 km/h ball, adding two or three more km/h shouldn't be a problem.
Overall, it was the same type of ball, the same standard.
As long as the batters put in the effort, they would eventually be able to hit the ball.
But now, Furuya has increased his speed to 160 km/h.
How could they cope with that?
Across the country, there were probably very few batters who could handle such a pitch.
How could it be that they had to face such a challenge?
In the resting area of Hoshiryu High School, everyone looked dejected.
Oda, the batter in the box, was stunned.
"Where am I?"
"What happened?"
These two questions kept spinning in his mind.
He was completely bewildered!
Furuya's 160 km/h fastball was not at all like the balls from a pitching machine.
It was terrifying!
Though he knew that the opponent was not to be underestimated,
Even though Furuya had been suppressed by Sawamura and was only a substitute on Seidou's team,
Honestly, who wouldn't be suppressed when facing Sawamura?
In any case, Oda couldn't think of a single person who wasn't.
So, he didn't underestimate the opponent just because he was a substitute.
In this confrontation, Oda gave it his all.
He was desperately trying to hit the ball and get a clean hit, aiming to grab a solid single.
But the reality was cruel.
Facing such a terrifying pitch, Oda couldn't even think about getting a hit.
Just trying to make contact with the ball was already a difficult task.
As the entire stadium was shocked, Sawamura, in left field, smiled.
Though he didn't fully understand why, he didn't know what had triggered Furuya's sudden explosion of power.
But from the result, this was certainly not a bad thing for Seidou High School's team.
And for Furuya himself, it was an excellent thing.
A high school student could throw such a fast pitch!
Such speed had been doubted in Koshien's history before.
Many people questioned whether it could really reach that level.
But Furuya's fastball speed might be the only one universally accepted as the fastest.
The first person to break that record!
Was his future still uncertain?
Not only would Japan's professional baseball league be eager to sign him, but Major League Baseball would also be paying close attention.
Any pitcher who could throw above 150 km/h would already be treated as a potential star.
No need for any other skills, just that speed alone would be a deadly weapon.
Furuya had done even better. He hadn't just surpassed the 150 km/h and 155 km/h limits.
He had reached a terrifying 160 km/h.
In Sawamura's memory, there were not many pitchers who could throw at such a velocity.
Furuya's future, whether he joined the NPB or Major League Baseball, his name would definitely be remembered.
Thinking about this, Sawamura smiled with satisfaction.
This little butterfly of his had really caused quite a storm with its wings.
If this momentum continued, who knows, one day, among those who were inspired by him, there might emerge a pitcher with the fastest pitch in the world.
If Furuya could maintain a steady mindset and continue working hard, Sawamura believed that his future achievements would undoubtedly surpass even the best pitchers in his mind, like Hongou Masamune.
He even believed it was very possible that Furuya would surpass Allen.
Sawamura was very much looking forward to that day.
Just thinking about how a player had grown this much due to his influence made Sawamura feel incredibly happy.
He was happy even for a stranger.
Let alone a friend like Furuya.
Being able to witness the progress of these friends was something Sawamura was thrilled about.
As Seidou was celebrating, of course, their opponents, Hoshiryu High School, couldn't be happy.
Their players all had solemn faces, watching as Furuya threw his third pitch.
VROOOOOO!!
It was the same earth-shattering feeling.
Oda in the Batter's Box, upon seeing this pitch, instinctively wanted to run away.
It was a natural reaction, almost beyond his conscious control.
People naturally avoid dangerous things, that's only logical.
And right now, Oda felt the same.
Staying in the Batter's Box was far too dangerous!
At this point, he even felt a strange sensation.
He felt that if that ball veered even slightly, and hit him...
He'd probably be sent straight to the hospital.
And that would be the best-case scenario—if it hit a less dangerous part of his body.
In the worst-case scenario, he might not even need to go to the hospital.
Such a dangerous, terrifying pitch—who wouldn't want to avoid it?
Oda didn't know about anyone else, but he certainly wanted to avoid it.
He didn't want to stay there and watch that pitch coming at him.
But there was no way out. The baseball still whizzed toward him.
Oda gritted his teeth, summoning all his courage, and swung the bat at the incoming ball.
At this moment, he felt like a gambler.
He had lost his mind and was going all-in.
He had to hit it, no matter what!
Oda was courageous, but his swing was just a fraction too late.
He missed the timing!
Even if he had timed it perfectly, it wouldn't have helped.
As the ball neared Oda, it suddenly dropped.
It was a splitter!
'A fast splitter!'
The ball's movement exceeded everyone's expectations.
Everyone watched in shock as the ball sailed past Oda's bat.
It landed perfectly in Miyuki's Mitt.
At this moment, a big shout-out must go to Miyuki.
This guy was truly remarkable.
Such a fast-changing pitch, and he managed to catch it.
BOOM!
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!"
...