The nightmare of "four runs conceded in the seventh inning" that comes to mind every day: The unwavering determination of the Sapporo Nihon University ace

The nightmare of “four runs conceded in the seventh inning” that comes to mind every day: The unwavering determination of the Sapporo Nihon University ace

Sapporo Nihon University’s Oguma Azusa Ryu throws a powerful pitch in the semi-finals of the Southern Hokkaido Tournament. Photo taken by Goto Karei at 1:52 p.m. on July 20, 2024 at Escon Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima City.

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The score difference was narrowed, runners were on the bases, the cheers of the opposing team and my own heartbeat were ringing loudly in my head. I close my eyes and imagine such a terrible scene every day. The steady days of facing their weaknesses brought the fourth time lucky to Sapporo Nihon University, which had lost three times in the past, in the final of the summer Southern Hokkaido Tournament.

Sapporo Nihon University’s ace pitcher, Shiryu Oguma (3rd year), has an unforgettable match. It was the second round of the Sapporo Regional Tournament last fall. Starting pitcher Oguma was pitching well against the powerful Hokkai.

At the end of the sixth inning, the score was 5-0. With the support of the opposing team, they had almost completely shut down the opposing batting line, allowing only one hit, so it seemed like victory was certain, but their concentration was broken when the leadoff batter in the seventh inning hit a home run.

The more he panicked, thinking “this is bad,” the more he put strength into his arms and his control became unstable. He walked two batters and threw a wild pitch, giving up four runs in one go. He was forced to leave the game after this inning, and the team suffered a come-from-behind defeat. Hokkai won the Hokkaido tournament that year and went on to compete in the Spring Koshien the following spring, so this was “the most frustrating loss I’ve ever experienced.”

Sapporo Nihon University's Oguma Azusa Ryu throws a powerful pitch in the semi-finals of the Southern Hokkaido Tournament. Photo taken by Goto Karei at 2:05 p.m. on July 20, 2024 at Escon Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima City. — Sapporo Nihon University’s Oguma Azusa Ryu throws a powerful pitch in the semi-finals of the Southern Hokkaido Tournament. Photo taken by Goto Karei at 2:05 p.m. on July 20, 2024 at Escon Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima City.

This loss was a turning point for Oguma. To address the issue of “getting flustered in a pinch and not being able to pitch as well as he should,” Oguma strengthened his “image training” under the guidance of manager Takuro Morimoto (43), who is a certified mental training coach. For a few minutes before practice and before going to bed, he would imagine “himself standing on the mound in the midst of a late-game comeback defeat.”

During the winter, he increased the amount of pitching he did, improving his stamina so he could pitch a complete game even in consecutive games. He aimed to throw 500 pitches a week, and there were days when he would throw nearly 200 pitches in a single day. He strengthened his lower body so that his upper body would not shake due to too much force in his arms, and in the approximately six months up until April, he gained 12 kilograms in weight.

The results were apparent at key moments. In the final of this summer’s Southern Hokkaido Tournament, against Ritsumeikan Keisho, they were hit with a barrage of hits in the seventh inning when they were down 6-0, and gave up four runs. The nightmare of giving up four runs in the seventh inning, just like in last fall’s game against Hokkai, is looming.

However, Oguma took a deep breath and said, “It’s a situation I imagined every day. It was within my expectations.” He returned to the mound, using both hands to massage his stiff cheeks, and held the opposing team to no hits in the eighth and ninth innings. It was a moment when he felt a sense of accomplishment in his “unwavering spirit” that remained unfazed even in a pinch.

Sapporo Nihon University players celebrate after winning the Southern Hokkaido Tournament. Photo taken by Karen Goto at 12:16 p.m. on July 21, 2024, at Escon Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima City.

This summer, Oguma pitched complete games in five of the seven games since the regional tournament. His stability has improved, and he has grown into an indispensable pillar for Sapporo Nihon University, who finds opportunities to win with low scores from defense.

“Oguma, who was quick to get emotional in his first year, has now grown into the most mature player on the team. That’s why I had no intention of substituting him in the seventh inning of the final,” said Director Morimoto. Catcher Ryota Takahashi (same team), who has supported him since his second year in the spring, also has confidence in him, saying, “No matter how many hits he gets, he’s now able to throw inside strikes first. He covers for his teammates’ errors.”

The team will be heading to Koshien in the summer for the first time, having overcome the wall that had previously rejected their predecessors three times. The ace, who has grown in mind and body, is aiming for the top. “It’s thanks to those around me that I’m able to pitch at Koshien. I want to show the culmination of these three years by becoming number one in Japan.”[Goto Karei]