Long before this final at-bat began, Lin Guanglai was already determined to use a strong hit to clear the bases and send his teammates home, helping the team turn the game around.
Generally speaking, a closer is a bit easier to handle than a starting pitcher due to the depth of the pitch selection, just like Masui Koji, currently standing on the mound, whose main pitches are only a straight ball with an average speed of 144km/h and a maximum speed of 155km/h, along with a forkball; but Lin Guanglai is also aware that facing one of the top closers in the Pacific League, he might only have one chance to strike a long hit.
For this reason, when Masui Koji threw the first pitch of this at-bat, facing this fastball attacking his outer corner high point, Lin Guanglai decisively swung the bat without hesitation.
