Chapter Summaries

Seidou began its game against Oya with Wakabayashi Gou shutting down its first inning, then Sawamura took the mound and quickly retired two batters with sharp corner pitches. With two outs and two strikes, Miyuki called for Sawamura’s new changeup, but Sawamura lost control and bounced the ball well in front of home plate.

• Wakabayashi Gou used a breaking pitch to get Komaru out and end Seidou’s first inning without a run.
• Seidou’s coaches and players discussed Wakabayashi’s subtle pitch movement and told Sawamura to focus on outside-corner strikes.
• Sawamura opened the bottom of the inning with sharp pitches, retiring Oya’s leadoff batter and then striking out the next batter.
• With two outs and two strikes, Miyuki signaled for Sawamura to throw his new changeup.
• Sawamura failed to control his emotions and bounced the changeup several meters in front of home plate.

Sawamura’s attempt to throw a Changeup went badly, and his frustration led to a walk before Seihou’s Cleanup Hitter laid down a bunt. Kanemaru’s rushed throw went wild, leaving Seihou with a chance to capitalize on the error.

• Sawamura’s Changeup hit the ground far before home plate, drawing laughter and confusion from the players and spectators.
• Miyuki and Kanemaru tried to settle Sawamura, but he lost control and walked the batter with several pitches.
• Miyuki called for Sawamura to use the next pitch to regain his composure, but Seihou’s Cleanup Hitter surprised him with a Safety Bunt.
• Kanemaru charged the ball and threw while jumping, but his wild throw resulted in an error.

Oya High exploited Sawamura’s inexperience to score twice in the top of the first, including inducing a rare balk, while Seidou’s defense regrouped and escaped the inning. Seidou began its turn at bat with Sendou stepping up as the cleanup hitter.

• Miyuki warned Seidou’s defense about a possible steal of home, but Yamazato hit a single that scored Oya High’s first run.
• Oya High baited Sawamura into a pickoff attempt and Kanemaru’s warning made him stop, resulting in a balk and Oya High’s second run.
• Miyuki calmed Sawamura and explained that Oya High had targeted his inexperience, then helped him refocus on the seventh batter.
• The seventh batter hit a shallow ball into the outfield gap, but Sendou directed Tojo to retrieve it and Seidou recorded the third out.
• Seidou’s players encouraged Sawamura and Kanemaru as they returned to the dugout, while Wakabayashi Gou reaffirmed Oya High’s resolve.
• Seidou began its bottom of the first with Sendou stepping into the batter’s box as the cleanup hitter.

Sendou read Oukoku’s pitching strategy, hit a Changeup for a double, and then stole home while Miyuki faced Wakabayashi’s unexpected sidearm pitch. Seidou cut Oukoku’s lead to one run, and Sendou explained that he had trusted Miyuki to hit the pitch.

• Sendou studied Oukoku’s pitches and hit a Changeup down the left-field line, reaching third base as Seidou began its counterattack.
• Miyuki faced Wakabayashi with Sendou on third and worked the count to two balls and two strikes.
• Wakabayashi switched to a sidearm delivery, and Sendou immediately stole home while Miyuki hit the pitch.
• The catcher threw to first after Sendou scored, and Miyuki asked why Sendou had chosen that moment to run.
• Sendou said he expected Wakabayashi’s new sidearm Changeup to miss the Strike Zone and trusted Miyuki to hit it.

Seidou gathered a scoring threat in the fourth inning, but Oukoku used an intentional walk, deceptive pitching, and a defensive shift to escape without conceding a run. As the game remained close, Watanabe called out to Miyuki from the sidelines.

• Sendou praised Miyuki's quick analysis of Wakabayashi Gou's new pitch, and the two looked forward to their matchup.
• After Shirazu-senpai singled and Kominato Haruichi bunted him to second, Oukoku intentionally walked Sendou and challenged Miyuki.
• Wakabayashi Gou used a low shootball, a changed forkball, and a fastball to make Miyuki pop up for the second out.
• Maezono pulled an inside pitch toward the left-field line, but Oukoku's shifted left fielder caught it to end the inning with Seidou still trailing by one run.
• Sawamura tried to reassure the dugout after the inning, and Watanabe-senpai called to Miyuki from the sidelines.

Sawamura shut Oya High School down with his moving Fast Changeup, and Seidou began its counterattack in the fifth inning. After tying the score and putting two runners on with two outs, Seidou brought Sendou to the plate as Oukou called a timeout.

• Sawamura retired Oya’s batters in order with a mix of moving pitches, while Sendou explained that Oya’s hitters were trying to hit toward their strongest direction.
• Miyuki told Sendou that Watanabe had confirmed the weakness they had been watching for, and Sendou said Seidou was ready to counterattack.
• Tojo doubled in the top of the fifth, and a successful bunt moved him to third before Sawamura’s squeeze bunt brought him home to tie the game.
• Kuramochi singled, then Shirazu pushed a hit through as Kuramochi advanced, leaving Seidou with runners on first and second and two outs.
• Sendou stepped up to bat against Oya’s pitcher, and Oukou called a timeout as Seidou’s heart of the order came to the plate.

Seidou exploited Oukoku’s defensive shifts to take the lead, and the inning widened into a four-run attack as their hitters forced walks and Maezono delivered a clutch single. With Tojo due up and Masu told to warm up, Seidou remained poised to extend its advantage.

• Komaru hit an outside fastball over the shifted second baseman, bringing Kuramochi home and giving Seidou the lead while Shirazu reached second.
• Oukoku realized Seidou had read its defensive shifts, while Kataoka praised Watanabe for spotting the pattern through repeated video review.
• Oukoku intentionally walked Sendou and Miyuki with the bases loaded, bringing in another run and leaving Maezono to bat.
• Maezono kept his swing controlled on an inside pitch and hit a fair single to score Seidou’s fifth run and put the team three runs ahead.
• With Tojo coming to the plate, Kataoka told Masu to warm up in case he replaced Kanemaru in the next at-bat.

Seidou protected its three-run lead as Sawamura shut down Oya’s batters and Kanemaru made a key defensive play. In the sixth inning, Oukoku began reaching Sawamura, and the chapter ended with a runner safe after a difficult ground ball.

• Coach Kataoka kept Kanemaru in the game and prepared Sawamura to pitch after Seidou took a three-run lead.
• Sawamura retired Oya’s side without allowing a hit, striking out the final batter to end the inning.
• Kanemaru grounded out and Sawamura struck out before Kuramochi also made an out in the top of the sixth.
• Sawamura faced Oukoku’s upper lineup, and Kanemaru stopped a high pitch from becoming a hit to record the first out.
• Oukoku’s next batter hit a ground ball between third and short, and Kuramochi’s throw failed to get the runner at first.

Ouka High mounted a rally against Sawamura in the sixth inning, putting runners on first and second with one out and the cleanup batter up. Miyuki called a timeout, helped Sawamura settle down, and instructed him to control his pitches and try the Changeup as Seidou prepared to stop the attack.

• Kakuda hit a high pitch, and Ouka advanced its runners to first and second as its cleanup batter came to the plate.
• Miyuki called a defensive timeout after noticing that Sawamura was distracted by the runners and Ouka was timing his pitches.
• Kuramochi, Maezono, Sendou, and the others tried to relax Sawamura, whose excitement over their praise made him tune out their corrections.
• Miyuki explained that Ouka was moving its contact point forward to hit Sawamura's Fast Changeup before it broke, then told him to control the trajectory and height and pitch outside.
• Sawamura agreed to try the Changeup after Miyuki and Sendou reminded him of his previous embarrassing pitch and Kawakami's opportunities in the Autumn Tournament.

Sawamura used his new changeup to strike out Kasuga and help Seidou escape a bases-loaded threat without scoring in the sixth. Oya High regrouped around Wakabayashi’s leadership, but Kominato hit a home run in the next inning, leaving Seidou celebrating and Oya High under pressure.

• Miyuki signaled for Sawamura to challenge Kasuga with fastballs, but Kasuga fouled off several pitches and showed he had adapted to Sawamura’s usual offerings.
• With two strikes, Miyuki called for Sawamura’s changeup, and Sawamura struck out Kasuga with it, earning cheers from his teammates and reassuring Chris that the pitch had become a weapon.
• Sawamura then got Yamazato to foul off pitches before Haruichi caught a weakly hit ball, ending Oya High’s threat with runners on first and second and no runs scored.
• Wakabayashi calmed Oya High’s players by arguing that Sawamura’s changeup was newly practiced and that Seidou’s pitcher would eventually crack under pressure.
• Kominato hit a home run for Seidou, and Sendou celebrated with him while Sawamura realized Kominato had helped create an opportunity for his changeup.

Sawamura took the mound for Seidou in the seventh inning with a six-run lead and, after Sendou’s back-to-back home runs had shaken Ougatani, struck out two batters in succession with precise pitches. The chapter left Furuya visibly stirred by Sawamura’s dominant performance.

• Sendou hit a home run after Haruichi’s homer, giving Seidou a six-run lead, while Wakabayashi recovered enough to finish the inning.
• Seidou moved Sendou to third base and Tojo to center field before Sawamura began pitching in the seventh.
• Sawamura struck out Katou with a sharp inside-outside sequence and a cutter.
• Sawamura caught Itou off guard with a low outside changeup, then struck him out with two fastballs.
• Miyuki admired Sawamura’s form, while Furuya watched in shock and felt compelled to prove himself.

Sawamura dominated Oukoku in the final innings, helping Seidou protect its seven-run lead and move within one out of the semifinals. After Haruichi and Kuramochi combined for a crucial out, Sawamura retired Oukoku’s fifth batter to end the game.

• Sawamura struck out Oukoku’s eighth batter after Sendou rushed in to field a foul bunt, then celebrated with his teammates and the cheering crowd.
• Seidou’s lineup went three up, three down in the top of the eighth, and Sawamura ended Oukoku’s half of the inning with seven pitches.
• Seidou scored its ninth run in the top of the ninth, extending the lead to seven, and Coach Kataoka chose Sawamura to pitch the final inning despite Furuya’s eagerness to return.
• Sawamura struck out Oukoku’s third batter and retired cleanup hitter Kasuga when Haruichi and Kuramochi smoothly turned a ground ball into an out.
• With two outs, Sawamura and Sendou stopped Oukoku’s fifth batter from producing a miracle, recording the final out and securing Seidou’s victory.

Sawamura led Seidou to a 9–2 win over Oukoku with a Complete Game, sending the team into the semifinals. After the teams left the field, Maki and Coach Ugai greeted Seidou at the changing room entrance and looked ahead to a possible meeting in the quarterfinals.

• Sendou caught Oukoku’s final hit, and Sawamura finished the game with a Complete Game, allowing two runs and three hits on 82 pitches.
• Seidou celebrated the victory while Wakabayashi cried over Oukoku’s loss and vowed to stake everything on summer.
• Isashiki, Jun, and Chris praised Sawamura’s growth and discussed his new Changeup before Seidou prepared to leave.
• Haruichi found Maki waiting in the changing room entrance, and Coach Ugai moved him aside so Seidou could file out.
• Coach Ugai praised Seidou’s strength and Sendou’s performance, and Sendou agreed to meet him in the quarterfinals if both teams advanced.

After returning, the narrator felt unusually sleepy and weak despite taking a nap and eating. The narrator was left unsure whether exhaustion was causing the symptoms.

• The narrator returned and felt especially sleepy.
• The narrator tried to nap but woke after receiving a phone call and ate.
• The narrator still felt drowsy and weak, struggled to hold a light phone steady, and felt pain when opening their eyes.
• The narrator wondered whether they were simply too tired.

After Seidou’s players reunited with their former senpais, they watched Seikou defeat Sensen and advance to the semifinals. Seidou learned that Seikou would be its next opponent, while Coach Ochiai considered how to use the pitchers and Kawakami watched Seikou’s lineup uneasily.

• The former First Team senpais praised Miyuki and Sawamura after Seidou’s game, and Furuya reunited with his grandfather, who had come to watch.
• Seidou’s players watched Seikou and Sensen play, and Seikou broke the deadlock with three consecutive home runs in the fifth inning.
• Seikou brought first-year Ogawa in to pitch, and his powerful fastball helped Seikou hold off Sensen and win 6–3.
• Seikou advanced to the semifinals, setting up a matchup with Seidou as both teams’ strengths and weaknesses were discussed.
• Miyuki considered how to use Furuya and Sawamura against Seikou, while Coach Ochiai looked toward Kawakami, who appeared uneasy.

After Sawamura’s complete-game win, Seidou’s coaches discussed how to use Furuya, Sawamura, and Kawakami against Seikou while preparing Sendou to cover third base. Furuya received medical approval to resume limited training, and the chapter ended with him and Sawamura returning to practice together.

• Inajitsu played Honghai Daisagara, and Narumiya and his teammates gradually regained their chemistry after learning Seidou had won.
• Coach Ochiai praised Sawamura’s decisive changeup and complete game, then recommended giving him more mound time if Furuya could not continue.
• Coach Kataoka planned to start Furuya if his recovery went well, while Ochiai and Oota discussed Kawakami’s reluctance against Seikou’s power hitters.
• Coach Kataoka told Sendou to prepare to play third base if Furuya moved to left field, and the coaches lamented how many powerful teams West Tokyo had.
• Sawamura drew congratulations from classmates the next day, while Furuya’s examination cleared him to resume limited team training.
• Furuya returned to school, and he and Sawamura began their first practice after a week of rest.

Furuya returned to limited pitching practice while Sawamura worked on his pitches, and Sendou tried to warn Miyuki about the danger of collisions without revealing his concern. Seikou and Seidou held war councils ahead of the semifinals, reviewing each other’s strengths and weaknesses as Seidou prepared to face Seikou.

• Furuya showed Coach Kataoka and the upperclassmen that he was ready to practice, and Coach Kataoka allowed him to pitch while warning the others to monitor him.
• Sawamura practiced his fastball and changeup with Miyuki, while Sendou used Sawamura’s embarrassing pitch to ease his own worry about Miyuki’s safety.
• Masu briefed Seikou on Seidou’s pitchers and batters, but his teammates’ foolish remarks disrupted the meeting until Coach Oga adjourned it.
• Watanabe briefed Seidou on Seikou’s powerful batting lineup and its pitchers, Kojima and Ogawa, while the team discussed how to approach them.
• Miyuki urged Seidou to focus on beating Seikou first, and Sawamura reacted haughtily when Haruichi reminded him that he had thrown a no-hitter.

After Seidou’s war council, the players discussed training and Sendou tried to make Miyuki more mindful of the size difference between him and opposing players. The chapter then followed Kawakami’s resolve to improve, Furuya’s meeting with Coach Ochiai, and Sawamura’s conversation with Coach Kataoka, which ended with Sawamura recognizing his impatience.

• Asou, Higasa, Guan, and Nakata chose to do strength training after hearing about Coach Ochiai’s advice, while Miyuki encouraged everyone to keep working toward the championship.
• Sendou told Miyuki he was too light and urged him to build muscle so he would be better protected in a collision with Ogawa or other larger players.
• Kawakami approached Miyuki after deciding he could not remain satisfied with sitting on the bench, while Furuya went to Coach Ochiai for guidance about his pitching.
• Sawamura entered Coach Kataoka’s room fearing he had been summoned over sleeping in class, but Kataoka and Rei-chan instead praised his complete game and encouraged him to improve steadily.
• Rei-chan explained that Sawamura had thrown only eighty-two pitches in nine innings, and Sawamura began to understand that he had been rushing his progress.

Sawamura left Coach Kataoka and Rei-chan with renewed resolve to improve his existing pitches and help Seidou reach Koshien. The next morning, Sendou decided to ask Rei-chan about moving the school trip, while the seniors teased one another during a soccer game.

• Sawamura accepted Coach Kataoka's advice, promised to refine his current weapons, and urged Coach Kataoka to prepare for Seidou's push toward Koshien.
• Sendou and the other first-years watched the second-years play soccer, where Kuramochi set up chances that Miyuki and Maezono failed to finish before Shirazu scored.
• Sendou recalled how quickly he had mastered sports as a child, then joined the seniors' conversation and proposed moving next year's school trip to the offseason.
• The third-year seniors called down to warn the players not to get injured and teased them about watching a macho action movie instead of going on a school trip.
• Sendou resolved to ask Rei-chan to help change the school trip schedule, and Sawamura spotted Masuko-senpai among the third-years.

Sendou skipped class to play soccer before returning to school for practice, where Coach Kataoka noticed the backups’ desire for game opportunities. In the Bullpen, Coach Ochiai had Furuya try a vertical Slider, and Furuya’s sharp new pitch surprised the team.

• Sendou resisted Tojo and the others’ attempts to get him to class until Coach Kataoka threatened him with fifty laps, then dominated the upperclassmen in soccer before heading back to class.
• At practice, Coach Kataoka saw the backups’ rough but determined play and considered giving them a chance in games.
• Coach Ochiai worked with Kawakami on his sinker and asked Miyuki to catch for Furuya as Furuya tried a Changeup.
• Furuya threw a sharp vertical Slider that surprised the team, and Coach Ochiai told him not to force the ball to break.
• Coach Ochiai continued directing bullpen work, pairing Ono with Kawakami for sinker practice.