Original subtitles

Straight to the pitcher!

Nice pitch, Shun!

He followed my breaking ball with determination alone.

You guys live up to the prestigious name.

All of the batters swing with confidence.

One more run.

In order to shut down this team completely,

we need another run.

This is bad.

It's getting hotter.

I'm Not Running

Akikawa Seido

So his pitch count is over sixty now?

Yes.

At this rate, he'll reach 100 by the fifth inning.

It's a difficult situation.

It's getting hotter, as well,

so we don't know how long he'll last.

We can't give up any more runs.

Though it's still early on,

we should think about switching him out.

I know! Get Kawakami!

Let's get Kawakami!

They're starting with the seventh batter.

Don't put any extra force into it, Furuya.

No one's hit your fastball yet.

Safety!

Or not?

Damn.

Not only are they making him throw more,

they're trying to tire him out with bunts.

Are they planning to completely crush him?

Of course.

A small nation will use whatever it takes to defeat a large nation.

The sooner they switch pitchers,

the more this game is ours.

And their ace hasn't pitched in any games yet.

We have to drag their team's worry out onto the field.

Every time they try to bunt, the pitcher has to run forward.

It's not a pretty strategy, but it must be tough for the pitcher.

Hey, Furuya!

Stop getting flung around by their bunt stance!

Kokudokan did the same to you, if my memory serves me right.

Even if he knows it in his head, his body reacts on its own.

I just hope it doesn't make him stiff again.

Throw like you're going to make him bunt!

If Furuya allows a runner this inning, I'm switching him.

I assume the Ichidai team is watching from the bleachers.

We can't afford to show his weakness any further.

He's right.

If Furuya gets completely crushed in this game,

it'll be harder to use him down the road.

It's Kawakami, right?

It'll be a long relief for him,

but we don't have anyone else.

No, it's still early in the game.

If we use Kawakami now, we'll fall right into their trap.

B-But we don't have anyone else who could pitch in this...

D-Don't tell me...

What?

Are you serious?

Yes. I'm sending Sawamura out.

Kominato, go tell Sawamura.

Y-Yes, sir.

Eijun-kun is switching with Furuya-kun...

Wow! This is getting intense!

He's using Sawamura instead of Kawakami.

When he showed himself last night, was he already thinking about this switch?

Thinking "we still have Kawakami left" instead of "we only have Kawakami left"

will completely change the mentality of the players on the field.

The coach knows that our batters are more than capable of taking back this game.

Now it rests on him to live up to the coach's expectations.

Me?

Me? Really?

Once he allows a runner.

All right! Let's go!

Wait! Stop!

Not until he allows a runner!

The reserves are moving around.

Is it almost time to switch Furuya?

Well, we don't really have a choice.

We can't let him be crushed in this game.

He's already exhausted.

Don't hate us.

We're desperate, too.

Strike!

Batter out!

What the...

He got even faster?

Look! One out!

Furuya-kun's not giving up the mound.

You didn't let him bunt.

You shut him down by force instead.

Man, you're really stupid.

You idiot...

Furuya...

He's still a dumb first-year.

It's like he wants us to crush him.

If that's what you want, we're not holding back.

I can't let this team's summer end here.

I'm throwing until the end!

Strike!

Batter out!

Furuya.

Furuya, just one more.

Fight it out right here!

Ball four!

So he can't relax, even with his forkball.

Oh! He gave away a walk!

Such a waste after getting two outs!

He allowed a runner!

Time out, please.

Miyuki, pitcher change.

They're switching him out already?

Isn't it too soon?

It's still the fourth inning.

Yeah!

We sent that fastball pitcher down!

Who's up next?

The side thrower? Or is it the ace?

No.

The ace hasn't thrown in the bullpen yet.

Furuya.

Hey, Eijun-kun.

You're up.

Y-Yeah...

Sawamura.

I'm right behind you.

Go crazy out there.

Good luck!

Seido High School has called for a change in players.

They're bringing in Kawakami-senpai.

It'll be a long game for him,

but we don't have a choice in this game.

Replacing Number 9, Furuya-kun...

...Sawamura-kun as pitcher.

Sawamura-kun as pitcher.

Hey...

What are you doing there...

...Sawamura?

Another first-year pitcher?

Even the Seido bleachers look quiet.

That pitcher with an interesting form.

A very aggressive player when they're behind in runs.

Is he that reliable?

Or are they super tight on pitchers?

Furuya, the ball.

Hey! Don't ignore me right now!

It's an order from the dugout.

Switch with him, Furuya.

Hey!

Furuya!

Furuya...

Furuya-kun...

What's wrong?

Hurry up with the switch.

C-Coach, Furuya's not coming off the mound.

Furuya...

Furuya, the ball.

It's an order from the dugout.

Switch with him, Furuya.

Furuya-kun...

What's going on?

Are they not switching?

We'll turn the game around.

You're way too selfish for a first-year.

Go rest in the dugout.

You listening?

I asked for forkballs, but you couldn't relax,

and your fastballs are only getting higher.

Even if you keep throwing, you'll drag the team down.

Now hurry up and get off the mound.

Furuya.

You can't get off the mound after allowing runs because of your mistake.

That's what you're thinking, right?

But...

...this...

...is a team battle.

I'll carry on your frustration.

Leave the rest to me!

I hate you, for some reason.

Wh-What did you say?

I hate you!

Don't repeat it!

Wow, I'm tired.

He ended up getting replaced,

but he didn't let us down.

No matter how tired he was,

he tried to throw until the end.

We've inherited...

...your spirit.

Hey, man.

What happened?

Is Seido all right?

Some miscommunication with the dugout?

Damn! A southpaw?

He's a first-year, too.

Damn it.

How many players do they have?

They don't need to use their ace against us?

No.

After this switch, I'm certain of it now.

Their ace won't be playing this game.

Man, you're pitching in this situation?

The coach must be a daredevil.

You sounded too cool just now.

Don't act like a hero here, you prick!

Why me?

But the coach probably respects your intensity.

Most likely.

Oh, yeah.

What are you guys talking about?

Well, well. They were all there?

Last night...

It's not safe!

That helmet won't save you!

I'm glad I came to check on him.

It's looking very interesting.

What's wrong?

Hurry up and pitch.

Are you afraid of hitting me?

So much pressure.

I couldn't throw here.

But if he can throw to the inside under this pressure...

Oh, are you throwing, Sawamura?

If I run away here,

there's no way I can throw in a first-string game!

I can't run away!

Last one!

His speed is a lot slower than the last guy's.

What should we do, Coach?

Should we see how he throws first?

No, you've all done enough waiting.

Let's get aggressive from here.

Nino.

Yeah?

If you can put a dent in this pitcher,

it'll help us win even more.

Just tell me to score without beating around the bush.

You've got this, Nino!

Don't miss his meatballs!

Leave it all to me!

We sure will! You know...

Hit it!

The Akikawa dugout looks energetic, as always.

We're in the mid-game, but it's a two-run difference.

Seido must want to end this inning quickly

and connect it to their next attack.

Let's see if they can change the tides with this new pitcher.

Try to get the pitcher's attention, Takada.

I'll aim for right between first and second.

If he gives me a meatball, I'll pull it hard.

Hey, you look stiff.

You didn't need to inherit Furuya's stiffness, you know?

Throw once to first and look around.

I forgot to stare at the runner.

You idiot!

That was close!

Hey, what are you doing?

Where are you throwing?

Get it together!

Calm down, idiot!

Or we'll kick you off the mound!

Wow...

His teammates are merciless.

Look at that!

He's bound to screw something up for us!

We should change to Kawakami before it happens.

Coa—

Why does he trust him so much?

It's too late to do that now!

Do that before you throw!

Wow! That was close.

He's a real pain in the ass, too.

But now that you're on the mound,

I can't just give up on you.

Give me a four-seamer to the inside.

You can, can't you?

Let's see...

Hey, stop!

Don't blatantly affirm your grip!

It's the pitch you threw to the coach.

He threw without hesitation...

...right into the coach's chest.

What kind of heart does he have?

So that's the four-seamer?

Yes, but he still misthrows sometimes.

It's a nice pitch with spirit.

Come!

The first pitch.

I'll pull it hard!

First pitch!

He swung late?

It wasn't even that fast!

Strike!

Yes!

Nice pitch.

Oh, yeah!

So you do have it in you!

Let's get aggressive!

Nice.

What the hell?

His pitch...

What are you doing, Nino?

His pitch is slow!

Eyes on the ball!

Damn it!

It's seriously hard to time it right.

His left arm is hidden behind his body,

and then...

Oh, yeah!

Did that one... move?

Yes!

Third!

Wow! He got an out!

S-Sawamura got an out without allowing a runner!

Yes!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes!

Shut up!

A moving right after a fastball.

Just what I ordered.

Though his control's still weak.

He carried on Furuya's spirit and threw with his heart.

Shutting them down with the first batter here was big.

That brat!

He's gaining confidence because the coach acknowledged him.

Nice pitching, Eijun-kun!

Wow! Sawamura-kun!

It was his first relief with a runner on base.

But what guts he has...

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes!

Shut up!

Takako-senpai, Sawamura-kun got us out of a pinch!

We can't relax yet, Haruno.

It's still the fourth inning.

I'll give it all I've got!

Look how powerful I've become!

Listen to what he's saying...

Then how about we look back and see how much he's grown?

Okay!

Wait, what?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound.

Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound

Let's win the national title!