【甲子園への道 福岡】「8番を背負うありがたみ」けがから復帰した折尾愛真・岩下泰雅主将、仲間と駆け抜けた夏

Taiga Iwashita, captain of Orio Aishin High School. He had been a regular player since his freshman summer, but in February of this year, he suffered a serious injury to his right knee, requiring three months to recover. At one point, he was worried about whether he would be able to continue playing baseball, but supported by his teammates, he diligently underwent rehabilitation and returned for his final summer. We followed his summer, once again wearing the number "8" jersey and fighting alongside his teammates. ===■"Will I be able to play baseball in the future?" A sudden injury and great anxiety=== Taiga Iwashita, captain of Orio Aishin. He secured a regular position as center fielder immediately after entering high school, and has led the team wearing the number "8" jersey since his freshman summer. However, in February of this year, he suffered a serious injury during practice, tearing his right posterior cruciate ligament. After receiving a diagnosis of a three-month recovery period, Iwashita recalls, "My biggest worry was whether I would ever be able to play baseball again, because my leg really wouldn't move." ===■Rehabilitation Supported by Teammates and Wearing the Number "8" Again=== Due to the injury, he was left out of the regular lineup for the first time in the spring tournament, supporting his teammates with the number "20." During the difficult rehabilitation period, Iwashita's emotional support came from his classmates. "Everyone does their role properly, so lately, rather than me leading, I feel like everyone is leading me," he says, expressing his trust in his teammates. After diligent rehabilitation, Iwashita made it in time for the summer tournament. At the roster announcement, he was once again entrusted with the number "8." "Now that I understand how fortunate I am to wear the number 8, I want to play my best so as not to bring shame to a single-digit number." With the joy of playing baseball with teammates and the sense of responsibility as a key player, I will face my final summer. ===■Fourth Round: Challenging the Powerhouse Fukuoka Institute of Technology Joto=== The fourth round, with a spot in the top 16 at stake. Our opponent is Fukuoka Institute of Technology Joto, a seeded school boasting five appearances in the Spring and Summer Koshien tournaments. Top of the 1st inning, Orio Aishin's offense. The leadoff batter is Captain Iwashita. He immediately hits a single to center field, giving the team momentum. Then, a timely hit by freshman Hisatomi Taison allows Iwashita to score the first run. The bench erupts in great joy at this magnificent opening run, born from the captain's bat. ===■A Counterattack Fueled by Teammates, Even in a Difficult Situation=== However, our opponent is a powerhouse school. After allowing the opposing team to take the lead in the second inning, the score steadily continued to widen, making for a difficult game. In the top of the eighth inning, with the score 1-7, Iwashita, the leadoff batter, hit a ball that was thwarted by a good defensive play by the opposing team. However, the team didn't give up. His teammates kept the inning going, creating a chance with two outs and runners on second and third base. Second-year student Najima Hyugo, who came in as a pinch hitter, hit a timely single, bringing the score down by two runs. Iwashita, who had been cheering hoarsely from the front row of the dugout, beamed with a smile and pumped his fist in celebration of his junior's hit. ===■"I'm glad I could play baseball with these teammates": Gratitude etched in their final summer=== The counterattack fell short, and the game ended in a 3-7 defeat. Orio Aishin's summer came to an end. During the post-game lineup, Iwashita, holding back tears, expressed his gratitude to his teammates, saying, "I'm so glad I could play baseball with these teammates. Thank you." "Everyone united for the team, and I think our teamwork grew stronger," he added. "I think I did what I could." After the game, Iwashita spoke with a bright expression. Overcoming injury, it was an unforgettable summer, spent giving his all with his beloved teammates.