Chapter Summaries

With runners on first and second, Kawakami faced cleanup batter Sano and fought to keep Seidou’s momentum despite the pressure. He found his confidence by challenging Sano inside, leaving the at-bat at two strikes and two balls.

• Miyuki encouraged Kawakami to accept that Seidou might allow a run but to keep the score close and preserve the team’s momentum.
• Kawakami opened the at-bat with a high inside fastball that Sano watched for a strike.
• Sano anticipated Seidou’s focus on outside pitches and let Miyuki’s low outside and high outside pitches pass for balls.
• Miyuki called for a low inside fastball, and Kawakami steadied his breathing before throwing it for a strike.
• Kawakami celebrated the pitch as Seidou cheered, while Sano welcomed the challenge with an eager smile.

Sano hit a two-run home run off Kawakami, cutting Seihou's deficit to one, and Sendou explained that Miyuki had called the wrong decisive pitch. Seihou then rallied with a bunt and a stolen base, leaving the tying run in scoring position as Akashi prepared to bat.

• Miyuki called an inside slider for Kawakami's eighth pitch, and Sano hit a 140-meter home run that cut the lead to one run.
• Sendou told Miyuki that Sano had been waiting for the slider, and Miyuki apologized to Kawakami for the pitch selection.
• Kawakami retired Sano and faced Shiranami, who drew a ball with a fake bunt before reaching first on a safety bunt.
• Miyuki focused Kawakami on Akashi while Shiranami took a lead, but Shiranami stole second during the at-bat.
• Coach Nishi-tera signaled Akashi to stay patient, while Akashi resolved to wait for a pitch he could hit.

Akashi Seiya hit a go-ahead two-run home run that put Seibou ahead, but Tanba took the mound and stopped their rally. As the seventh inning approached, Narumiya Mei joined Inajitsu’s players to watch Seidou’s comeback attempt and heard how well Sendou had been hitting.

• Akashi Seiya hit a two-run home run, giving Seibou a 7–6 lead and prompting Seidou to replace Kawakami with Tanba.
• Coach Kataoka encouraged Kawakami, while Seidou’s upperclassmen jokingly patted Tanba’s head before Tanba took the mound.
• Tanba struck out Sotomura and Hoshinomiya to end the sixth inning and restore Seidou’s momentum.
• Narumiya Mei arrived at Inajitsu’s viewing room, claimed he was not interested in the game, and then sat down to watch Seidou play Seibou.
• Harada Masakatsu told Narumiya Mei that Sendou had hit a home run off the opposing ace, and Carlos noted that Sendou had become Seidou’s cleanup hitter.

Seidou rallied against Seihou in the seventh inning, tying the score before a double play ended their scoring chance. Narumiya Mei watched from Inajitsu’s room, angrily insisting he was not cheering for Seidou while deciding to keep watching their game.

• Kuramochi was retired to open the seventh, but Kominato Ryosuke hit a single and Isashiki followed with a hit-and-run to put runners on first and third.
• Sendou hit Hoshinomiya’s first pitch for a two-base timely hit, bringing home the tying run and advancing Isashiki to third.
• Kiriyama intentionally walked Yuuki to load the bases, and Masuko hit a fly ball that Nakagawa caught before throwing out the runner at home to complete a double play.
• Narumiya Mei raged that Seidou had failed to score more runs, then admitted he would keep watching and wanted Sendou and Kazuya to win.

Tanba shut down Seibou’s lineup with three straight strikeouts, while Seidou struggled to score in the top of the eighth. Shirazu kept fighting through a long at-bat and reached base, leaving Kuramochi up with the inning alive.

• Sendou apologized to Tanba for failing to turn the play around, and the Seidou players rallied behind Tanba as Coach Kataoka urged them to stay aggressive.
• Tanba struck out Ichinose, Nakagawa, and Nanase in the bottom of the seventh, using Miyuki’s varied pitch calls to suppress Seibou’s batting lineup.
• Miyuki grounded out in the top of the eighth, and Sendou teased him about his hitless day.
• Shirazu fouled off several pitches, worked the count full, and reached first base on a slow curveball that hit the ground.
• Kuramochi came to bat as Seidou’s dugout joked with Sawamura, while the crowd praised the team’s aggressive play.

Seibou rallied in the bottom of the eighth when Kiriyama reached base on a safety bunt and Sano drove him to third with a hit off Tanba. The inning ended with runners on second and third and no outs, leaving Seidou in a major late-game crisis.

• Kuramochi grounded out to end Seidou’s inning after missing a pitch and abandoning a safety bunt attempt.
• Kiriyama opened Seibou’s eighth-inning rally by bunting safely and reaching first base.
• Kataoka chose to have Miyuki and Tanba face Sano rather than avoid a decisive matchup.
• Sano hammered Tanba’s pitch to the right-field fence, reaching second as Kiriyama advanced to third.
• Seibou put runners on second and third with no outs, and its supporters celebrated the team’s comeback chance.

Seibou rallied against Tanba in the eighth inning, taking an 8–6 lead into the ninth after scoring twice with a sacrifice fly and a squeeze play. Seidou began its final attack by reaching base against Hoshinomiya, who was replaced by Miyake, leaving Isashiki, Sendou, and Tetsu to face the new pitcher.

• Shiranami hit a sacrifice fly that scored Kiriyama and gave Seibou a 7–6 lead.
• Akashi and the Seibou runners executed a squeeze play, scoring another run before Tanba recorded the third out of the inning.
• Tanba struck out Hoshinomiya, and Coach Kataoka urged Seidou to trust its lineup as the team prepared to bat in the ninth.
• Kominato Ryosuke hit an infield single against Hoshinomiya to put a runner on base.
• Coach Nishi-tera replaced Hoshinomiya with Miyake, and Seidou anticipated that Seibou might intentionally walk Isashiki, Sendou, and Tetsu.

Isashiki drove in a hit to keep Seidou’s rally alive, then Sendou overcame his exhaustion and pressure to send a deep hit toward the left-field fence. The ball struck near the fence junction and bounced along the field, leaving the result of Sendou’s hit unresolved.

• Isashiki fouled off Miyake Teruhiko’s first pitch, held back on a Slider and an inside fastball, then hit a Slow Curveball and reached first base safely.
• After a brief medical examination, Isashiki apologized to Sendou and left the two-on, no-outs chance to the cleanup hitter.
• Sendou struggled to make contact as Kiriyama and Miyake tried to exploit his fatigue, until Sawamura shouted at him to stop letting pressure distract him.
• Sendou steadied his breathing, fouled off Miyake’s Slow Curveball, and held back on two pitches that missed the Strike Zone.
• Sendou recognized the spin on Miyake’s low outside Slider, accelerated his swing a second time, and drove the ball deep toward left field, where it struck near the fence junction and bounced away.

Seidou erupted for nine runs in the final inning, defeated Seiho 18–11, and advanced to the Koshien finals for the first time in twenty-two years. After the game, Sendou joined Coach Kataoka, Captain Tetsu, and Isashiki for an interview while Chris and others stayed behind to scout.

• Sendou's inside-the-park home run tied the score, and Coach Kataoka urged the batters to attack the pitches they wanted.
• After Seiho intentionally walked Captain Tetsu, Yuuki hit a long ball that brought Sendou home and put Seidou ahead.
• Miyuki, Tanba, and Shirazu reached base as Seiho's pitcher Miyake lost control, and Seidou loaded the bases for Kuramochi.
• Kuramochi's hit led to Miyuki being tagged out at home, but Yuuki and Isashiki drove in more runs before Sendou hit a grand slam to make it 18–9.
• Seiho scored twice in the bottom of the ninth, but Seidou won 18–11 and advanced to the finals.
• Coach Kataoka, Sendou, Captain Tetsu, and Isashiki gave an interview while Chris and several teammates stayed to scout the afternoon game.

After Seidou reached the Koshien final, Sendou praised Narumiya Mei as the strongest pitcher he had faced, energizing Narumiya and provoking Hongo Masamune ahead of the championship game. Sendou slept through the news of Kyoma’s semifinal win, then woke to find Seidou’s seniors excitedly preparing for the final.

• Sendou told reporters that Narumiya Mei had once suppressed Seidou and could have held the lineup under five runs, then declared that Seidou’s goal was to conquer the nation.
• Coach Kataoka gave the exhausted Sendou permission to rest, and Sendou fell asleep after returning to the hotel.
• Kyoma defeated its semifinal opponent five to zero, conserving Hongo Masamune’s strength before the final against Seidou.
• After hearing Sendou’s praise, Hongo vowed to make Sendou remember his name after their game the next day.
• Narumiya delighted in Sendou’s recognition, watched the interview on television, and announced that he would attend the final.
• Sendou woke at night, found Seidou’s seniors excitedly discussing the final, and sat down to eat before the War Council.

Seidou and Kyoma Daifuji Maki held war councils to prepare for their final game, assessing each other’s pitchers and lineups. Both teams recognized Sendou Akira and Yuuki Tetsuya as crucial to the matchup, and the chapter ended with Sendou reflecting on how quickly his time at Seidou had passed.

• Chris briefed Seidou on Kyoma’s four pitchers, including Hongo Masamune’s powerful fastball and Mitani Kouhei’s difficult left-handed sidearm angle.
• Chris described Kyoma’s balanced, technically skilled lineup and strong defense, while Coach Kataoka urged Seidou to prepare carefully and fight without regrets.
• Coach Kataoka told Yuuki Tetsuya and Sendou Akira that their performances would determine how Seidou’s lineup played, and they agreed to take responsibility in the final game.
• At Kyoma’s council, Coach Nitta warned Hongo that Sendou and Yuuki were exceptionally dangerous hitters and challenged Hongo to prove him wrong on the mound.
• Coach Nitta instructed Kyoma to contain Sendou’s baserunning, avoid giving him a clear path to score, and treat Seidou as a formidable opponent.
• After the meeting, Sendou looked out the window and reflected that his time at Seidou had passed quickly.

On the morning of the Koshien final, Sendou brushed off Narumiya Mei’s calls before they spoke and exchanged encouragement, then Seidou prepared to face Kyoma for the championship. Coach Kataoka named Tanba as the starter, and the chapter ended with both teams entering the stadium determined to claim the Victory Flag.

• After the War Council, Hongo Masamune said the final was tomorrow and vowed to win the Victory Flag and prove himself.
• Sendou ignored Narumiya Mei’s calls, blocked several numbers, then apologized and spoke with Narumiya Mei and Harada before Seidou left for Koshien.
• Fans welcomed Seidou at the stadium, and Sendou told reporters he had recovered and felt ready to perform well.
• Coach Kataoka named Tanba as Seidou’s starter and told Furuya, Kawakami, and Sawamura to prepare to pitch; Captain Tetsu won the choice, giving Seidou First Attack.
• Seidou and Kyoma entered the stadium as both teams set their sights on the championship and the Victory Flag.

Seidou and Kyoma Daifuji Maki began the Koshien championship game after Seidou rallied with its school chant. Hongo dominated Seidou’s first two batters, and Coach Nitta allowed him to face Sendou with two outs and no runners on base.

• Sendou joined Seidou’s players for their pregame chant, while Kyoma’s young players reacted to the powerhouse team’s display.
• The teams lined up for introductions, and the crowd lamented that Furuya was not starting for Seidou.
• Hongo struck out Kuramochi with three fastballs reaching up to 148 kilometers per hour.
• Hongo used his Fast Forkball to strike out Kominato Ryosuke, giving Kyoma two outs.
• Enjo realized Hongo intended to face Sendou, and Coach Nitta approved the matchup despite their earlier plan to avoid it.

Hongo Masamune struck out Seidou’s first three batters, while Tanba answered by retiring Kyoma’s first three hitters to keep the game scoreless. The chapter ended with Sendou Akira due to lead off the next inning against Hongo in the matchup both teams and the commentators saw as the game’s first major turning point.

• Hongo Masamune overpowered Isashiki with a fastball and a Fast Forkball, then struck out the next two Seidou batters to end the top of the first.
• Coach Nitta provoked Hongo after the inning, while Enjo Renji restrained him and Seidou prepared to defend against Kyoma’s aggressive lineup.
• Tanba and Miyuki retired Kyoma leadoff hitter Aku and second batter Nishi Hideo, with Miyuki using varied pitches to exploit their approach to low balls.
• Tanba struck out the third batter, Matsushita, to finish a scoreless first inning.
• The commentators and Coach Nitta focused on the coming showdown between Sendou Akira and Hongo Masamune, with Sendou set to lead off for Kyoma.

Sendou Akira faced Hongo Masamune in a tense first showdown and hit Hongo’s inside fastball for a home run, giving Seidou the first run. The inning’s clash ended with Sendou rounding the bases while both teams reacted to his unexpected hit.

• Hongo opened the matchup with a 148-kilometer-per-hour fastball, then struck Sendou out swinging with a Fast Forkball.
• Sendou stayed composed as Enjo and Hongo prepared an outside pitch, then fouled off Hongo’s 146-kilometer-per-hour fastball.
• After taking a high outside ball, Sendou read the next pitch as a low inside fastball and drove it over Hongo’s head.
• Sendou’s hit cleared the fence and struck the scoreboard for his twenty-ninth high-school home run, putting Seidou ahead.
• Sendou accepted the lucky result and continued around the bases as Seidou’s bench celebrated.

Sendou hit a solo home run off Hongo Masamune, giving Seidou an early lead and provoking Hongo to pitch with renewed anger. Hongo then struck out Yuuki, Masuko, and Miyuki in succession, ending the inning with Seidou ahead but still facing his overpowering pitching.

• Sendou hit Hongo Masamune's inside fastball for a home run, and Seidou's bench celebrated the early run.
• Sendou warned Captain Tetsu that the home run might make Hongo more dangerous, and Hongo responded by throwing a 150-kilometer-per-hour pitch to strike out Yuuki.
• Hongo struck out Masuko after mixing fastballs and Fast Forkballs, leaving Seidou with two outs.
• Miyuki watched Hongo's first pitches closely but was forced to swing at a Fast Forkball and struck out, ending the inning.

Seidou and Kyoma continued their close pitchers’ duel, with Sendou’s home run keeping Seidou ahead by one run. In the top of the fourth, Kominato reached base with a safety bunt, and Sendou stepped up to face Hongo again as their showdown intensified.

• Narumiya exaggeratedly dismissed Miyuki’s strikeout, while Sendou became more interested in Hongo after their glares met.
• Tanba retired Kyoma’s cleanup hitters, and both teams continued a pitchers’ duel with only three combined hits.
• Coach Nitta told Hongo to put a runner on ahead of Sendou, while Coach Shinjou entrusted the inning to Enjou.
• Kominato battled Hongo through a long at-bat and reached first with a safety bunt, giving Seidou its first runner of the inning.
• Hongo’s pitches regained their power as Isashiki fouled off several pitches before Kyoma’s defense stopped the ball and held Kominato at first.
• Sendou entered the batter’s box to face Hongo again, beginning the next round of their showdown.

Sendou battled Hongo Masamune through a tense at-bat, using his bat as a ruler to judge pitches before finally driving in a powerful hit. The chapter ended with Sendou on second and the runner from first reaching third, putting Kyoma in a major crisis.

• Hongo Masamune struck Sendou out swinging with a 142-kilometer-per-hour Fast Forkball, but Sendou then let two balls pass by estimating the strike zone with his choked-up bat.
• Sendou fouled off Hongo’s 146-kilometer-per-hour pitch and later barely fouled off another Forkball, falling in the batter’s box before signaling that he was unhurt.
• After Sendou got back up, he grew angry because he felt Hongo’s gaze had looked down on him, then kept fouling off difficult pitches with two strikes.
• Sendou struck Hongo’s Fast Forkball for a line drive into left-center field, reaching second as the runner from first advanced to third.

Seidou launched a coordinated offensive against Hongo Masamune, scoring four runs in the top of the fourth and widening Kyoma’s deficit. Kyoma’s battery regrouped and struck out two batters, and the chapter ended as Kyoma prepared to respond in the bottom of the inning.

• Sendou and Oni-san stole together while Captain Tetsu hit Hongo’s pitch through the defense, bringing both runners home and giving Seidou a 3–0 lead.
• Enjou suspected Seidou had deciphered Kyoma’s pitch signals and changed the Fast Forkball signal before play resumed.
• Captain Tetsu stole third while Enjou was distracted, then scored on Masuko’s squeeze bunt as Masuko reached first safely.
• Hongo Masamune and Enjou struck out two batters, but Seidou finished the inning with a 4–0 lead.
• Coach Nitta kept Hongo on the mound, and Kyoma’s players prepared to bat in the bottom of the fourth.

Kyoma Daifuji Maki High School used bunts, steals, and coordinated baserunning to load the bases against Tanba, while Seidou's defense worked to contain the threat. Taninaka's hit drove in a run, but Sendou's throw caught a runner at third.

• Kyoma's third batter reached first with a Safety Bunt, and the runner later stole second during a Hit and Run.
• Coach Kataoka ordered an infield shift, and Onii-san fielded Ishizaki's grounder to get an out at second while holding the runner at third.
• Aoyagi's at-bat brought a surprise squeeze play, but Kyoma's runners and batters advanced safely to load the bases with one out.
• Coach Nitta called for a triple steal and Hit and Run, and Taninaka hit Tanba's curveball to right field.
• Shirazu fielded the ball and passed it to Sendou, whose throw caught the runner at third.