Chapter Summaries

Seidou prepared to defend its one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, with Coach Kataoka replacing Furuya with Shirazu and rallying the team. Inajitsu began its final attack, but Kawakami struck out pinch hitter Yabe, leaving the game in Seidou’s favor.

• Miyuki, Sendou, and Kominato reflected on Narumiya’s determination and the danger Seidou faced if it could not hold its lead.
• Coach Kataoka sent Shirazu to right field in place of Furuya, encouraged Kawakami, and told Sawamura to stay ready for extra innings.
• Kataoka reminded Seidou that they had scored eight runs against Narumiya and urged the players to take the field with pride.
• Seidou and Inajitsu made their final preparations as coaches and players focused on the bottom of the ninth inning.
• Inajitsu’s pinch hitter Yabe attempted a safety bunt, but the ball went foul, and Kawakami struck him out after building a two-strike count.

Kawakami overcame his fear of throwing inside to face Carlos, but Carlos hit the pitch and reached base safely. The stadium erupted as Kawakami stood on the mound, unable to hear the crowd.

• Yabe returned to the bench and desperately cheered for Carlos as Seidou needed two more outs to end the game.
• Carlos crowded the plate to pressure Kawakami and declared his determination to reach Koshien and win.
• Miyuki signaled Kawakami to attack inside, and Kawakami steadied himself by trusting Miyuki’s call.
• Kawakami threw a low inside ball, but Carlos hit it while the defense was caught off guard.
• Carlos charged to first and reached safely as Inajitsu celebrated and Kawakami stood stunned.

Miyuki and Kawakami used Shirakawa’s full-count battle to set up a hittable inside pitch, trusting Seidou’s outfield defense. Sendou caught Shirakawa’s deep fly for the second out, leaving Seidou still ahead and the inning alive.

• Miyuki apologized to Kawakami for missing the sign that allowed Carlos’s Safety Bunt, then told him to focus on Shirakawa.
• Shirakawa fouled off several pitches and worked the count full while Carlos remained on first base.
• Miyuki signaled for Kawakami to throw a hittable inside pitch, and Kawakami accepted the plan with confidence in Seidou’s defense.
• Shirakawa hit the pitch toward center field, and Sendou tracked it down and caught it for an out.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Carlos on first, Kawakami faced Yoshizawa as Seidou stood one out from defeating Inajitsu. Kawakami put Yoshizawa in a two-strike count, leaving the game poised on his next pitch.

• After Shirakawa was called out, Seidou celebrated while Yoshizawa prepared to bat with the game on the line.
• The stadium roared for Seidou, and Kawakami struggled under the pressure of knowing each pitch could end the game.
• Miyuki chose to challenge Yoshizawa early, while Kawakami used a head-turning feint to keep Carlos from stealing.
• Kawakami threw an outside strike, then a ball, as Carlos darted off first and returned safely each time.
• Kawakami struck Yoshizawa out with a slider, giving him two strikes and one ball and pushing Inajitsu to the brink.

Inajitsu kept its ninth-inning offense alive when Yoshizawa reached first on a ground ball and Kominato's throwing error let Carlos advance to third. Seidou regrouped during a defensive timeout and rallied around Kawakami before Harada stepped up with the tying run on third and the game-winning run on first.

• Kawakami faced Yoshizawa with two outs and one strike left, but Yoshizawa fouled off pitches and then hit a ground ball that bounced out of Kominato's glove.
• Kominato's throw went wide, allowing Yoshizawa to reach first as Carlos advanced to third; Captain Tetsu recovered the ball and Kominato's next throw stopped Carlos from scoring.
• Harada came to bat with runners on first and third, leaving Inajitsu one run behind and Seidou one out from victory.
• During Seidou's defensive timeout, Tanba encouraged Kawakami, while Sendou and Captain Tetsu lightened the tension by joking around and touching Tanba's bald head.
• Captain Tetsu led Seidou in a rallying chant, and the fielders returned to their positions for the final confrontation with Harada.

With Inajitsu threatening to tie the game or win it, Harada hit Kawakami’s pitch through the infield, but Sendou recovered the ball and threw Yoshizawa out at home to preserve Seidou’s lead. The play left Isashiki stunned and Sendou gasping in the outfield.

• Miyuki recognized Harada’s tension and called for Kawakami to attack him with an inside pitch.
• Harada settled after Narumiya encouraged him, fouled off Kawakami’s slider, and then fought through a two-strike count.
• Harada drove Kawakami’s next pitch through the infield, allowing the runner from third to score and sending Yoshizawa around third toward home.
• Isashiki lunged for the ball and missed as it got through, while Sendou sprinted across the outfield to retrieve it.
• Sendou tossed the ball upward, caught it while turning, and threw it to the plate; the umpire called Yoshizawa out before he could score.

Seidou escaped defeat when Sendou relayed the ball to force the final out and tie the game, then began the top of the fourth extra inning against Narumiya Mei. After Isashiki struck out, Sendou rose from the bench as Yuuki came to bat, drawing Inajitsu’s wary attention.

• Sendou completed the relay play that stopped Inajitsu from winning, and Seidou celebrated the tie.
• Sendou reassured his teammates that the game was not over, then rested while Coach Kataoka prepared for extra innings and kept Sawamura ready in case Kawakami faltered.
• Coach Kunimoto told Yoshizawa not to blame himself and prepared Inajitsu’s defense for Seidou’s center lineup.
• Narumiya Mei struck out Isashiki on three pitches as Seidou began its turn at bat in the fourth inning of extra innings.
• Sendou opened his eyes and stood as Yuuki came to the plate, prompting Inajitsu’s bench and Coach Kunimoto to focus warily on him.

In the top of the tenth, Yuuki broke through Narumiya Mei’s fierce pitching with Seidou’s first hit of the game, putting the tying run on second before Sendou came to bat. Sendou faced Harada amid overwhelming crowd support, and their long-awaited showdown paused for a timeout as Harada prepared to pitch to him.

• Narumiya Mei battled Yuuki through a series of fastballs and fouls before throwing a changeup that Yuuki drove into right field for a double.
• Yuuki’s hit gave Seidou its first hit of the game and put him on second base in the top of the tenth.
• Sendou stepped into the batter’s box as neutral spectators roared for him, turning the stadium into a home crowd for Seidou.
• Sendou and Harada recognized each other and spoke about their reunion and their six-year-old rivalry.
• Sendou challenged Harada to face him directly, and Harada called a timeout before their at-bat continued.

Sendou nearly hit another home run off Narumiya Mei, but Harada chose to intentionally walk him rather than risk a decisive matchup. After Masuko popped out, Narumiya regained his composure and focused on controlling his pitches.

• Harada returned from the mound after arguing with Narumiya, then called for a changeup against Sendou; Sendou fouled off a fastball and drove a forkball just foul of a home run.
• With Sendou in peak form and Narumiya still unsettled, Harada stood up and intentionally walked Sendou despite Narumiya's anger and humiliation.
• Sendou went to first base and reflected that he admired Narumiya's willingness to sacrifice for victory as Masuko came to bat with runners on first and second.
• Masuko swung at the first pitch and hit a fly ball that Carlos caught before throwing to third to keep Tetsu from advancing.
• Narumiya calmed down after the out and realized he needed to control his pitches instead of throwing recklessly.

With Seidou trailing and Kawakami nearing his limit, Sawamura prepared to take the mound as Narumiya faced Miyuki with the game on the line. Narumiya kept Miyuki off balance through four pitches, leaving the at-bat unresolved.

• Sawamura assured Masuko that he was ready to pitch, then began warming up while Kawakami's stamina continued to fade.
• Narumiya struck out Miyuki on the first pitch, showing that his fastball still had its full speed and power.
• Miyuki reflected on his fear of losing and his desire to seize the chance to score, then held back from Narumiya's close slider.
• Miyuki moved to the back of the batter's box and let Narumiya's fourth-pitch forkball pass for a ball, keeping the at-bat alive.

Seidou failed to score against Narumiya Mei in the bottom of the ninth, but Sendou’s confidence lifted his teammates as both teams prepared for the next exchange. Coach Kataoka urged Seidou to stay ready for another chance, while Inajitsu’s players geared up to defend their lead.

• Miyuki hit Narumiya Mei’s pitch, but Hirai Tsubasa made a diving stop and threw him out to end Seidou’s inning without a run.
• Narumiya Mei brooded over his performance and the intentional walk, then resolved to do anything necessary to win.
• Isashiki, Tetsu, and the other Seidou players rallied around Sendou, who said he had never believed they would lose.
• Coach Kataoka told Sawamura to stay ready and urged Seidou to trust their effort and keep fighting for another opportunity.
• Coach Kunimoto told Inajitsu’s batters to target the fastball and swing when they believed they could hit it.

In the bottom of the tenth, Narumiya Mei faced Kawakami with a chance to end the game for Inajitsu. Narumiya drove the ball into the outfield for a double, leaving Seidou in immediate danger.

• Narumiya Mei came to bat first for Inajitsu in the bottom of the tenth, while Miyuki and Kawakami prepared to face him.
• Kawakami threw two outside pitches, then caught Narumiya looking with an inside slider for a strike.
• Miyuki called for an inside pitch, and Narumiya hit it sharply between left and center field.
• Sendou sprinted toward the ball and dove, but it got through as Jun-san chased it down.
• Narumiya Mei slid safely into second with a double, putting Seidou at risk of a walk-off loss.

After Kawakami lost control following Yamaoka’s home run, Miyuki and the Seidou players tried to steady him, but he walked Hirai. Coach Kataoka decided to replace him with Sawamura, who finally took the mound after warming up for three hours and thirteen minutes.

• Miyuki called a conference and encouraged Kawakami to trust the defense and keep fighting.
• Kawakami threw four balls to Yamaoka and walked him, visibly panicking as Hirai came to bat.
• Coach Ochiai worried that Seidou’s pitching lineup would cost them the game, while Coach Kataoka weighed whether to trust the inexperienced Sawamura.
• Coach Kataoka saw Sendou’s confident smile, nodded to Miyuki, and ordered Sawamura to be brought in.
• Seidou announced Sawamura as the replacement pitcher and ninth batter.

Sawamura replaced Kawakami in the final inning and struck out Inajitsu's leadoff batter, reviving Seidou's fighting spirit. With runners on first and second, Sawamura and Miyuki prepared to challenge Bon with a pitch they had never used in a game before.

• Kawakami apologized to Sawamura for leaving the mound, urged him to fight, and left the field in tears as his teammates encouraged him.
• Sawamura took the mound and, guided by Miyuki, struck out Hirai on three pitches.
• Coach Kunimoto told Bon to watch for Sawamura's inside pitches, while Miyuki gave Sawamura the signal to try his sharpest pitch against him.
• Sawamura accepted Miyuki's trust, and Seidou's dugout and cheering section rallied behind the battery as Bon prepared to bat.

Sawamura Eijun entered the game in a high-pressure situation and used a cutter to complete a five-pitch double play, keeping the score tied at eight. In the eleventh inning, Shirazu reached first safely against Narumiya Mei, and the chapter ended with the coaches trying to keep Sawamura from taking an ill-advised swing for a home run.

• Sawamura Eijun got Bon to hit his cutter into a double play, ending the tenth inning with the runners stranded.
• Sawamura celebrated wildly with his teammates while Narumiya Mei seethed over the lost chance to win.
• Narumiya Mei began the eleventh inning against Shirazu, who fouled off a fastball and beat the throw to first for a hit.
• Shirazu celebrated with Sawamura's bow-drawing pose, and Sawamura loudly promised to hit a home run next.
• Head Manager Oota and Coach Kataoka called Sawamura over, preventing him from rushing to the plate and giving Inajitsu an easy out.

Coach Kataoka and Sendou prepared Sawamura to look like a power hitter before bunting, but his unexpected hard foul unsettled Inajitsu and helped Seidou advance Shirazu. The chapter left Harada uncertain about Sawamura’s true batting ability, while Sendou worried that Seidou’s teammates had given away too much.

• Sendou taught Sawamura to loosen his shoulders and vary his swing timing, while Coach Kataoka told him to appear ready to hit before bunting.
• Sawamura hit Narumiya Mei’s Slider hard for a foul, surprising both teams and making Harada suspect that Sawamura might be a hidden power hitter.
• Harada abandoned the Infield Shift, and Coach Kataoka used the shaken defense to signal a bunt while Shirazu ran.
• Sawamura laid down a bunt, but Yamaoka fielded it quickly and forced Sawamura out at first as Shirazu reached safely.
• Maezono and Kanemaru called Sawamura’s earlier hit lucky, prompting Sendou to warn Seidou’s cheering section not to leak information.

Fumino stopped Maezono and Kanemaru from revealing Sawamura’s weakness, while Narumiya Mei continued to dominate Seidou despite his apparent exhaustion. Haruichi reached base, but Narumiya struck out Isashiki to end Seidou’s scoring chance, leaving Sendou exhilarated by the fierce game.

• Fumino warned Maezono and Kanemaru not to expose Sawamura’s weakness and asked them to save any apology until after the game.
• Narumiya struck out Kuramochi with inside pitches and a changeup.
• Miyuki asked Sendou to throw ten pitches with him if they won, and Sendou agreed.
• Haruichi reached first on a broken-bat hit, putting runners on first and third with two outs.
• Narumiya struck out Isashiki with a slider, a changeup, and another strike, ending Seidou’s scoring opportunity.
• Isashiki urged Sawamura not to lose heart, while Sendou said the game might be the most unforgettable of his life.

Sendou returned to the field determined to win as Seidou prepared for the bottom of the eleventh. Sawamura faced Yabe, struck him out with a sharp inside pitch, then caught his weak line drive for an out.

• Sendou told Jun-san that there was no point in being happy if Seidou could not win, then headed to the field with the upperclassmen following.
• Seidou prepared for Inajitsu's eleventh-inning offense, and Miyuki warned Masuko to be ready for a hard hit.
• Yabe struggled against Sawamura's inside and outside pitches and changed his stance to cover the inside corner.
• Sawamura threw another inside pitch, and Yabe hit a weak line drive that Sawamura caught.

Sawamura faced Carlos with Seidou protecting a narrow lead in extra innings, and struck him out of a dangerous approach with a decisive inside pitch. Captain Tetsu caught Carlos's weak pop-up for the final out, then stayed down after the fall as medical staff came onto the field.

• Sawamura got Yabe out, and Seidou's players rallied as Carlos came to bat with a runner on base.
• Carlos crowded the plate to counter Sawamura's inside pitches; Sawamura threw inside, and Carlos fouled off the next pitch.
• Sawamura committed to his next pitch, which broke upward as Carlos swung and sent a weak pop-up behind first base.
• Miyuki told Sawamura to cover first, while Captain Tetsu dove and caught the ball to get Carlos out.
• Captain Tetsu raised his glove to confirm the catch but struggled to get up, so the umpire stopped the game and medical staff entered the field.

After Sawamura hit Shirakawa in the head, Sendou helped him overcome his guilt and return to the mound determined to win. With two outs and Carlos on first, Sawamura began facing Yoshizawa as Inajitsu threatened to end the game.

• The doctor cleared Captain Tetsu to continue, and Sendou urged Sawamura to win if he wanted to understand Koshien.
• Sawamura hit Shirakawa in the head with an inside pitch, leaving Shirakawa dizzy but thrilled that he had reached base and giving Inajitsu a chance to win.
• Sendou reminded Sawamura that Shirakawa had accepted the risk and challenged him to fight for the upperclassmen; Sawamura resolved to keep pitching and apologize after the game.
• Sawamura returned to the mound with renewed resolve as Carlos took first and Yoshizawa entered the batter's box with two outs.
• Sawamura threw a strike to Yoshizawa while Carlos stayed close to first, and the at-bat continued.