Original subtitles

Seido had a huge chance to score with one out and the bases loaded,

but it just fell short!

Follow the data and get the definitive outs.

In the end, this is the strongest way to play.

I can do this.

I can take on Seido with my pitch.

I'll beat this team

and prove I'm better.

What? Me?

Of course!

Are you ready?

I was born ready!

Eijun's taking the mound?

He's running with a grounder to third?

Seido has tied the game!

He slid right into me.

He's really aggressive.

Brother.

I'll do it, too.

Revenge

Yes!

We've tied! Tied!

We've finally caught up, Takako-senpai!

One out with runners on first and third.

We can still score again.

Let's turn the game around this inning!

He ran straight for home with a grounder to third.

They probably practice this play daily.

The batter hit the grounder,

and the runner ran without even giving it a thought.

They put pressure on the opponents by always making aggressive plays.

This offensive style is how Coach Kataoka likes to play baseball.

Seriously?

Ball four!

They walked him again!

That's two at-bats in a row!

Miyuki has played a key role in many games this tournament.

Perhaps they don't plan to take him on at all.

This is fine.

Never fight a battle you might not win.

Strike!

Batter out!

His fastball has gotten faster.

He's getting fired up from walking me every time.

I bet the coach knew this would happen, too.

Tanba!

For the eighth batter,

Haruichi Kominato-kun will be replacing Tanba-kun.

They used a pinch hitter for the ace!

That's crazy!

Get a hit, Harucchi!

Itching to play

I want to play.

Coach Kataoka's making his move.

This inning will be the turning point.

He's doing his pitcher relay, I see.

If we can defend against it,

the game will be in our favor, Maki.

I'm taking Tanba-san's place.

This is a huge responsibility.

But with two outs and the bases loaded,

the coach trusted me to go up.

I don't want to let him down.

They replaced their ace with a pinch hitter?

He's still a first-year, too.

Maki! Let's stop them here!

Pitch to contact!

You're a first-year!

You're still a first-year!

Yeah! Nice throw!

Keep your pitch low!

His pitch is on fire.

There's nothing to worry about here, then.

Ball!

Yes! Great call!

Harucchi has keen eyes.

Standing here makes me truly realize

just how big this pitcher is.

But...

His fastballs are extremely close to what the coach pitched yesterday.

If only...

...I could see his curveball before I'm cornered.

Foul!

Another fastball.

The count is 1-2!

He's cornered.

This may have been too much for a first-year.

Okay! Okay!

Your timing's right!

Just swing big!

He's had two at-bats and two hits this tournament.

His batting average is one.

We don't have enough data on him,

but he certainly has talent.

But he can't hit any long ones.

Just overpower him with your fastballs.

You have plenty of power to do that.

Will he throw a curveball?

Or will he stick to his fastballs until the end?

Don't think too much.

I know for a fact

that you can hit anything he throws.

You're just a first-year.

It's too soon for you...

...to be wearing that uniform!

A curveball!

Hold it in!

Keep your bat head high.

It's all in the hips.

Smack it away!

Why did you throw a curveball, Maki?

Left! Back!

Did you get too greedy trying to get a strikeout?

It went a little too high.

I was too far up thinking he couldn't hit far.

Get over!

Yeah!

He hit it right over the left fielder!

All the runners are home!

That was a three RBI double!

We're up by three now!

Kominato did an amazing job!

He hit their pitcher's curveball as the pinch hitter!

Yeah!

Nice hit, Harucchi!

Huh?

What do I think about when I'm at bat?

Just hitting the ball back, I guess?

He's really amazing.

How does he make contact so easily?

"Just hitting the ball back," huh?

That's the hardest thing to do in a game.

He's hit three for three so far.

His batting average is still one.

He may be our lucky boy this tournament.

Look!

He's pumping his fist with a red face!

Can't do anything about that, huh?

Yes!

They turned the game around!

He's still a first-year, right?

I got really lucky with the three runs,

but this should make Eijun-kun's job a little easier.

This inning's crucial!

Yeah!

One out at a time!

Let's go!

You've got some buffer!

Throw with confidence!

Just pitch like you always do, Sawamura.

Yeah! Ei-chan!

Good luck!

They brought Sawamura-kun out.

This is his third consecutive relieving game.

In order to make a strong statement after turning the game around,

defending this inning is key.

If there's one thing to worry about,

it's how he got switched out in the last game

after giving up a home run and breaking down.

Let's go!

What were you thinking?

You should've gone with a fastball.

You could've avoided three runs if you had kept their batter from hitting far.

Hino!

Be ready to go any time!

Yes, sir!

If anything else happens, I'm taking Maki off the mound.

Relax, Maki.

He always says that.

Just cover your ears.

We'll get those three runs back.

You can count on it.

You're something else today.

I feel it, just watching your back.

I can hear everything you say.

It's true. Maki's a different beast today,

which makes that one pitch all the more disappointing.

Listen up!

Let's go on the offensive this inning and turn back the tide.

Yes, sir!

Seriously, though.

Rack up some points and let Maki feel at ease.

Somewhere in the bleachers,

they're watching me pitch.

I can't mess up big...

...in front of them!

Yes! A strike on the first pitch!

Great job, Ei-chan!

Nice pitch!

He's pitching a lot quicker now,

and his form has changed a bit.

Yeah!

Go all the way!

Ball four!

What have I done?!

Walking the first batter is the worst thing I could've done!

Let's calm down first.

Breathe in

Breathe out

Do that before you pitch!

Breathe in

Breathe out

Breathe in

Can't he just pitch quietly?

Breathe out

Breathe in

Breathe out

His left arm came out a lot later than I expected.

It's gonna be hard to time his pitches.

Good job. Good walk.

Getting on base was important.

I'll praise you later.

Is he psyching me out?

A bunt, huh?

It's not a surprise, coming from them,

but let's not lower our guards.

Steal!

The second baseman went to cover the base and missed it!

It wasn't a solid hit, but it goes into the right field.

A hit and run?

Third!

Safe!

A hit and run that took the second baseman by surprise!

Sensen batters' crafty play is giving Sawamura a hard time!

No outs and runners on first and third.

Sawamura-kun...

Life has its ups and downs, and so does this game.

He swapped out their ace for a pinch hitter.

It's a very bold move that you can't do

without a solid team of pitchers.

However,

this is what's scary about a relay.

No one can pitch his best every time he comes to the mound.

Not to mention, he's a green first-year.

That increases the risk even more.

Listen up.

His pitch is special, but he has no speed.

If you swing the bat, you'll hit it past the infield.

Take him out slowly but surely.

Yes, sir!

Then you'll be able to see their greenhorn coach lose his cool.

Excuse me. Time-out pl—

Stop right there!

I'm fine!

No time-outs!

"It's baseball, so you'll always allow some hits."

"You're not a real pitcher until you give up a run."

What?

What's going on?

No, wait.

You got the second part all wrong.

He turned down the time-out.

Is he saying he has the situation under control?

He's cocky.

When did he become so reliable?

You idiot!

That first-year's trying to look tough.

Well.

I guess this is who he is.

He looks calm, at least.

Looks like the fielders are prepared to concede a run here.

They probably want their first out.

Don't worry about their runner.

Focus on the batter.

You've got this, Ei-chan!

You can do it!

Get him out!

Eijun.

Bring it on!

A squeeze play!

Ball!

What?

The runner didn't run?

You're putting pressure on him now?

A relieving pitcher's always looking for that first out.

So you've prioritized taking out the pitcher over scoring right now.

Ball!

Forget about the runner.

Focus on facing the batter.

He should be throwing a strike soon.

Right down the middle!

Crap! I swung late?

Brother!

What are you doing popping a fly?

That's one run for now!

Runners on first and second now.

Sawamura's struggling to get his first out.

He got himself in trouble with a walk,

and even though he jammed the batter, the ball still went over the infield.

Sawamura's problems have all surfaced already.

That fly scared me for a second,

but it looks like the tide is turning around.

Sawamura! First base!

Out!

Runners on second and third.

The tying runner is on second.

They didn't squeeze when they had a runner on third,

but as soon as they score, they sacrifice bunt.

That coach...

...really knows how to make the pitcher feel uncomfortable.

Sensen's batters are putting a lot of pressure on him.

This is where he needs to stand his ground.

You need to do everything you can to hold them down, Sawamura-kun.

Sawamura.

Hey, Furuya!

Why are you going to the bullpen?

Furuya?

You're on break today!

Go sit back in the dugout!

Ignored

Is this okay, Coach?

Leave it.

It's his way of motivating him.

I doubt that's on his mind.

Miyauchi-senpai,

may I ask you to catch my pitch as well?

Furuya?

I've gotta catch for Kawakami.

You can do it alone.

Shock

Kominato.

Relay a message.

Harucchi, you, too?

What are you doing here?

I'm relaying a message.

Their favorite pitcher relay is breaking apart,

and they're panicking.

Maki!

Swing from the first pitch!

We've got momentum!

Let's take that pitcher down!

O-Okay.

You're something else today.

I feel it just watching your back.

Rack up some points and let Maki feel at ease.

No.

I was just... doing this for myself.

You have the power for a long hit if you make contact.

Just swing all the way, and you'll get it into the outfield.

You can do whatever you want for this at-bat.

Wow! What is that?

What's all the laughter over there?

What?

What kind of message is that?

It's for Masuko-senpai, not me?

Well, so...

The coach said,

"If Masuko-senpai's hat comes off, it'll break our concentration, so be careful."

That's actually true.

Why don't we draw a hat on his head?

You two are merciless!

They're just putting up a front.

Make them scream in fear with your bat.

Well, if the coach isn't telling you anything,

then it means the situation isn't as bad as you think.

It's still the mid-game.

If they score, we'll score some more.

But you've given up a run again this game.

Are you going to keep this up and walk off in shame?

Or will you stand your ground and come back next inning?

Your potential as a pitcher is being tested here.

You idiot!

We're trying to make him relax right now.

Don't tell me you're afraid to pitch now

because you gave up a home run.

I'll never...

I'll never let you say that again.

Cocky.

These two...

I'm going to focus on the batter, so everyone please—

Shut up!

We can hear you.

We'll get those three runs back.

You can count on it.

Maki! Swing from the first pitch!

You've got this!

Let Maki feel at ease.

I'll get them back.

I gave up those runs,

so I'll get them back.

He's here to make a big play.

Do your best, Sawamura!

Pitch to contact!

You've got this, Ei-chan!

Let's go!

Come on!

He's not in the front of the lineup,

but he got a big hit his last at-bat.

Let's keep it all low.

You see, I always feel bad for you.

You guys never seem to...

To be frank, I knew from the very start.

Sawamura, your potential as a pitcher is being tested here.

I won't be left behind by everyone!

Eijun.

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Best Pitch.

Best Pitch

Let's win the national title!