File under: not actually all that impressive in context (this was only a PB by about 23 seconds) but still very satisfying, because I achieved my true goal: the 1-inning Waluigi IL!

The batting certainly had its flaws, and I decided to go full safety for the Luigi strikeout rather than throw three straight strikes as I ought to, but overall this was solid work! I complain about Pianta's batting a lot but I've figured out ways to make working with him more bearable, the primary method being "Team Star abuse". Subbing Boo in for Mario gave me a very helpful fourth Team Star, meaning two for the Piantas and two for Waluigi - at that point, the only scheduled 'unassisted' hit was Waluigi's very first, nice and early for those delicious line out resets.

As you can see here, Pitcher Laser can work against a fast runner like Noki, but you need tight timing, a smash throw from outfield Pianta to catcher Noki, and the Lucky Glove's boost to fielding arms in order to succeed. You can see that the ball only barely made it in time to home plate even with the Lucky Glove - without that item boost, forget it.

Aside from the baseball, overall solid Barrel Batter and no problems with the other minigames either - I was even able to nab an extra second of time save by passing my third turn in Wall Ball. Optimal!

I knew I wasn't on track for sub-15 before the final moment of tension of the run - the walk from WB to CCS - so I was apprehensive but thankfully not full of dread. If I had more time for attempts, I would play CCS before Barrel Batter at the start of every run, averting this extra opportunity for Jr. to block my path and piss me off. As things stood, I knew there was a chance the little imp would troll me; lo and behold, Jr. decided that he wanted to chase me around for a while before I eventually shook him off. A little better than parking in front of Magikoopa to veto my run entirely, but still annoying. I'm just glad I didn't lose the PB...