Chiben Wakayama High School triumphed over Energy Sports High School with a score of 9-4 in the second round of the 97th Invitational High School Baseball Tournament, held on March 25, 2025, at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture. This victory marks Chiben Wakayama's first return to the top 8 since the 91st tournament in 2019, a span of six years.
The match began at 9:02 AM, with Chiben Wakayama taking an early lead. The first significant scoring opportunity arose in the first inning when Akihira Yamashita hit a ground ball that allowed a runner to cross home plate, giving Wakayama a 1-0 lead. By the third inning, the team extended their lead to 3-1 thanks to a timely hit by Yuya Otani, which brought another run in. In the fourth inning, Chiben Wakayama unleashed a powerful offensive, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring four times, greatly widening their lead.
Energy Sports, representing Okinawa and making their first-ever appearance at Koshien in just their third year of existence, tried to mount a comeback but faced challenges throughout the game. Though they had runners on base in every inning from the second onward, they failed to capitalize on those opportunities, ultimately falling short.
Despite the loss, Energy Sports showcased their potential. Their star player, Iman Rikuhi, displayed exceptional skill, achieving four hits and stealing two bases during the match. However, the team's ace pitcher, Koyo Hisataka, who had delivered a shutout in the first round, struggled against Chiben Wakayama's strong line-up, giving up seven runs by the fourth inning.
Chiben Wakayama's coach, Jin Nakatani, praised his team's performance, particularly focusing on their ability to handle low balls effectively. He noted, "The key was how well they could adjust to the lower balls. I think they did an excellent job." His satisfaction was tempered with a resolve to improve defensive strategies as they prepare for their next match.
Looking towards the quarterfinals, Chiben Wakayama will face Hiroshima Sho on March 26, 2025. Coach Nakatani expressed his determination for the upcoming challenge, saying, "I want everyone to fight with all their energy and spirit in the next game."
On the other side, Energy Sports’ coach, Yoshimune Kamitani, reflected on the match, acknowledging the significant gap in experience. "We felt the difference in class between us and such a strong team," he stated. Despite the disappointment, he recognized his players' bravery in their performance. He concluded, "I was proud of my players, who scored four runs against a formidable opponent. I hope they can build on this experience and come back even stronger in the summer tournament."
Fukumoto Rikuya, an Energy Sports pitcher who relieved in the fourth inning and limited Chiben Wakayama to just two runs, commented on the outcome from the mound. "Initially, I was nervous, and my control was off, but I regained my composure later in the game. I’m disappointed that our 'no-sign baseball' strategy didn’t work against a strong team like them, but I look forward to next season's summer tournament where we can improve on our performance," he said.
As the tournament continues, both Chiben Wakayama and Energy Sports are set for critical moments ahead. For Chiben Wakayama, this victory is both a return to form and a stepping stone to future successes. Energy Sports, although eliminated, leaves Koshien with valuable lessons that they can build on; something that the fans and players alike are keen to witness in their future matches.
