Kyoto International captures first Japanese High School Baseball title, defeating Kanto Daiichi in first use of extra-innings tiebreaker in Koshien

NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo — Kyoto International High School won its first-ever title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Kanto Daiichi of East Tokyo on Friday, marking the first time that decisive runners were used in extra innings in the final of the National High School Baseball Championship at Koshien Stadium.

The two teams, both seeking to become champions for the first time, were tied at 0-0 after nine innings. The tenth inning began with runners on first and second for each team, and Kyoto managed to scrape together two runs before Kanto Daiichi was held to just one, with the final batter being retired with the bases loaded.

“When we were in the field in the 10th inning, it was a situation that made your legs shake,” Kyoto manager Noritsugu Komaki said. “But I kept telling them that we couldn’t lose the mental game. The whole team went out there and batted with that in mind and this was the result.”

Kyoto International, founded in 1947 as a school for Korean students, became the first team from Kyoto Prefecture to win the title in the 106th edition of the prestigious tournament since Heian (now Ryukoku University Heian) won it in 1956. The victory came after the school suffered a first-round defeat at the National Invitational tournament in the spring.

Both teams had chances in the early stages, but were unable to break through against starting players Rui Nakazaki of Kyoto and Tetsushin Hatanaka of Kanto Daichii.

In the top of the 10th inning, a leadoff single to left loaded the bases with no outs for Kyoto, who scored runs in consecutive at-bats with a walk and a sacrifice fly. After a single to center reloaded the bases, Kanto Daiichi limited the damage by getting the force home on a grounder to second and a flyout to center to end the inning.

Kyoto brought in left-hander Ikki Nishimura, who had replaced Nakazaki, to pitch in the 10th inning. His mishandling of a bunt left the bases loaded, and a fielder’s choice allowed a run to score.

A walk re-loaded the bases, but a grounder to first forced a forceout at home, after which Nishimura retired Shintaro Sakamoto to end the game.

“I never thought we would get here [to the final]”, said Komaki. “These children gave this old man a wonderful summer vacation.”