In a heart-wrenching conclusion to the 97th Selected High School Baseball Tournament, Kasao High School from Nagasaki faced Toyo Ohime High School from Hyogo and fell short, losing 2-7 on March 20, 2025. This match marked the first and pivotal game for Kasao in their pursuit of the islanders' long-held dream for a win at the prestigious Koshien Stadium.
The game started at 2:44 PM, with a start delay due to the previous match, gathering a roaring crowd of around 230 enthusiastic supporters from Kasao and nearby areas. These fans watched eagerly as their team took an early lead, with Kasao scoring two runs in the first inning. Led by captain Shugo Uraue, who took the mound as their starting pitcher, the team appeared poised to make history.
Kanao’s initial triumph was short-lived, however, as by the end of the fifth inning, Toyo Ohime shifted the momentum dramatically. Coach Takeshi Sakamoto had trained his players intensively, focusing on hitting fastballs – a key strategy given the prowess of Toyo Ohime's ace pitcher, Rui Sakaue, whose fastball clocked in at 147 km/h. "We fully prepared so that we can show what we have built up so far," Sakamoto stated.
Despite their solid groundwork, the Kasao players struggled against Toyo Ohime's formidable batting as they were overwhelmed with five runs scored against them during the fifth inning alone. This crucial part of the match saw Toyo Ohime’s players, such as Taku Watanabe and Shiratori, significantly contributing to the scoreline through three-hit combinations, including Watanabe’s sacrifice fly that added another point, bringing the score to 7-2.
Kasao's coach expressed a sense of frustration while acknowledging the talented opponents, saying, "The individual abilities [of Toyo Ohime] are high. They are top-notch in both offense and defense." Coach Ryusei Okada of Toyo Ohime reciprocated with respect, indicating, "They are taking detailed tactics... The team's unity is also wonderful." This mutual respect underscored the competitive spirit present in the match.
As the night drew near and with all hope resting on the shoulders of the remaining Kasao batters, they managed to mount a few fleeting chances but were met with a rock-solid defensive effort by Toyo Ohime, who held Kasao scoreless in the remainder rounds. A tangible silence flooded Kasao’s side of the stadium as their last hopes dwindled, culminating in the sound of three outs at the end of the ninth inning, sealing their fate in this tournament.
Yet, as the final whistle blew and the disappointment settled in, the sense of camaraderie among Kasao’s players shined through. They gathered in their dugout and raised a cheer to express gratitude to their devoted fans, who had traveled from their home island to show support. In that moment, despite the score, all barriers fell away, and the passionate community backing Kasao echoed in every round of applause they received.
The Kasao players left the field knowing they had garnered significant support, despite the weight of not realizing their dream of a single victory at Koshien. As one educator stated, "We could not realize our dream of '1 win at Koshien,' but we showed heart and togetherness today, and that counts for something." Their spirit and determination may yet remain a beacon for others to follow in years to come.
This match, although not the win Kasao valued, was a display of resilience, determination, and the unbreakable bonds of community. As Kasao looks to regroup and refocus, the spirit of the game continues to inspire both players and supporters alike, highlighting that every journey on the field cultivates dreams and fuels hope for the next generation.
