Original subtitles

That's the starting lineup for tomorrow's game.

Yes, sir!

Furuya will pitch first,

and then Tanba.

Kawakami and Sawamura,

warm up your shoulders, if the situation calls for it.

Seido Spirit Dorm

I will surely live up to your expectations—

Dismissed.

Yes, sir!

So Furuya's going to be starting.

He's started in four games this tournament, so it's only natural.

Yeah, he doesn't have much experience as a reliever.

I-I'm off the starting roster.

Sakai.

As a pinch hitter and a reliable fielder,

I'm going to need you late in the game.

Don't forget to warm up.

Y-Yes, sir!

Good luck, Kado.

Thanks.

The hardest thing in tomorrow's game

will be when to switch the pitchers.

Can Furuya start well?

Can Tanba-san perform?

If these two don't fare well,

we won't have a chance.

Especially against Mei.

Tomorrow will be an all-out game.

We're going to need everyone in the dugout to win.

The Battle Begins!

Wait! That stretch.

Can I see it again?

Oh. Yes, sir.

Like this?

No!

Like this!

Don't be embarrassed!

Special Protein Blend

All right.

shave

Let's win!

shave

He's shaving it.

Yeah.

Oh, wait.

Isashiki-senpai wanted grape.

What? Don't tell me that now!

What are we gonna do with this cola?

And why are you being used as a go-fer when you're starting tomorrow?

Not to mention you nominated yourself!

You want me to tell them a thing or two?

We got you the drinks.

Hey!

That's my cell phone!

You're violating my privacy!

What'd you say?

What's wrong with checking up on our underclassmen?

Why am I being yelled at?

It's Kuramochi.

He's interested in your girlfriend.

Tetsu-san!

Seriously?

I've told you multiple times that she's not my girlfriend!

Then can we e-mail her and check?

All right! Give me the phone.

Let's send her a picture of us manly upperclassmen.

What?

Ready?

Is Wakana coming tomorrow?

I wonder if Wakana went to bed already.

Wakana's a good name.

You just like saying the name!

Let's go in.

Tetsu-san, can you check our swinging—

You better watch your attitude!

Hey, Sawamura!

Why are you so close with the third-years?

Even I get nervous around them!

Does it look like we're close?

You're all too nice to the first-years!

Why are you only so strict with us?

What are you mad about, Zono?

I'm not mad!

Yes, you are!

Is this what you want?

Give me a break already!

That's good.

Oh, I just remembered.

I heard you hit Azuma-san.

That was an unfortunate accident.

Seido Spirit Dorm

Uh, guys...

Can you go back to your rooms now?

Ambition

It's finally tomorrow.

It's going to be a long day, Coach Kunitomo.

With so much attention on you every year,

I'm sure you feel the need to perform.

Once you make nationals, things will get even crazier,

but I hope we can celebrate quietly like this again.

I'm sure the kids this year will not let you down.

Ace's Room

I knew I'd find you here.

Coach, you should get some rest.

What do you think our chance of winning tomorrow's game is?

Saying it's 50-50, I feel, underestimates the opponent.

That's not true!

I'm sure our players will—

That is true.

To be frank, I think it's 40-60 in their favor.

I have high hopes for our players of course,

but it'll be difficult to score so many runs off Narumiya-kun.

It'll all depend on our pitchers.

How many runs can we hold them to?

40-60 in their favor?

Furuya-kun pitches the first five innings,

and Tanba-kun closes the rest of the game.

This is the most ideal outcome

in order to avoid the weaknesses of a pitcher's relay.

Though,

I'm sure we'll be needing Kawakami-kun and Sawamura-kun at some point.

Playing nine innings with just Furuya and Tanba.

True, that's the ideal outcome.

The rest will be up to the Goddess of Victory.

It doesn't matter if it's by luck

or if we barely win.

Either way is fine.

I just want to take them to nationals.

C…

Coach.

Don't worry.

I'm sure

the boys know how you feel.

Meiji Jingu Stadium National High School Baseball Championship Tokyo Qualifiers

The West Tokyo Tournament Final

will begin at 1:00 PM.

Today's Schedule National High School Baseball Championship Tokyo Qualifiers Inashiro Vocational vs Seido

Today will be a hot day,

so please drink plenty of water

and be wary of heat stroke while you enjoy the game.

Seido will be batting in the top,

and Inashiro will be batting in the bottom.

I hope to see a great game for the final.

Okay.

Let's go!

Yeah!

Here they come!

It's Seido!

Yuki!

Seido!

Isashiki!

Tanba!

This is your year!

Isashiki!

Tetsu-san!

Kataoka-san!

Inashiro's the best!

Narumiya!

Narumiya-kun!

Inashiro's the best!

Mei!

Masa!

Carlos!

Let's go to nationals!

You've got this, Coach Kunitomo!

Take us to nationals again!

Kataoka!

Seido!

Inashiro!

Seido!

Look at the size of the crowd.

We're gonna win!

Don't yell right by my ears!

Sorry.

Barking dogs seldom bite.

Keep it cool, stupid!

ba-dump ba-dump

Furuya, don't drink too much water just because it's hot.

You're gonna feel sluggish.

It looks like he's really pumped up.

I just hope he'll be relaxed when he pitches.

So they're bringing Furuya out first.

If they're saving Tanba for later,

maybe they'll switch pitchers, one after another, like the Yakushi game.

The problem is the order.

Did you not get any sleep last night?

You've been yawning all day.

Have I?

I've seen it happen now and then since the nationals last year.

What happened that day haunts you and keeps you awake.

Don't worry.

No need to be a worrywart.

I was just thinking of ways to defeat them,

and I got too excited to sleep.

Kazuya.

This...

...is the game you wanted, right?

I warned you.

You're gonna regret choosing that side.

The West Tokyo Qualifier final is about to get underway.

Under a blue summer sky,

both teams walk out to the field.

Inashiro is here to take their second consecutive summer title.

Seido is here to get revenge for last year

and go to nationals for the first time in six years!

They're both top-tier teams nationally!

Which one will take this game?

Let's go!

Yeah!

I'm gonna be there first!

The crowd welcomes both teams with a round of applause as they run out.

They're showing their respect to all the teams that have played,

and their excitement for this game.

Straight line! Just like that!

Bow!

Good luck!

How will this game play out?

Inashiro is defending in the top,

and the man on the mound is none other than their ace.

He has yet to give up a run this tournament.

It's Mei Narumiya, a second-year.

Their catcher is their captain and cleanup,

Masatoshi Harada, a third-year.

Something to note:

Inashiro has four second-years on the starting roster this year.

Wait for a meatball until you're cornered.

Don't be afraid to strike out,

and swing for a specific pitch.

It's hot today.

Even Narumiya will crumble if we make him pitch a lot.

Let's go!

Yeah!

How will Seido bat against Narumiya-kun, who hasn't given up a run this tournament?

That's going to be the key this game.

Yeah.

Inashiro has come this far with a definitive ace,

while Seido has been playing their relay game.

Let's stay focused!

There's no doubt that this game will be decided by the pitchers.

Yeah!

Batting for Seido in the top of the first

is their first batter and shortstop, Kuramochi-kun.

What?

Batting left?

I thought he was a switch-hitter.

It's easier to see a southpaw's pitch for right-handed batters,

but he's standing on the left.

Play!

So you wanted to be even a little bit closer to first?

Well...

It's very clear you're going for a bunt.

Ball.

Huh?

It wasn't an obvious ball.

If he didn't go for that one,

maybe he's not trying to bunt.

Good.

Don't give him any easy strikes.

You little...

Are you going to bunt or are you not?

Ball four!

Right on!

You didn't swing?!

Don't walk him, stupid!

Yes!

That's the way, Kuramochi-senpai!

You can do it if you try!

He got too cautious.

He's the last person you want on base.

Have some confidence, Kuramochi-senpai!

Gonna kill him later.

Second batter and second baseman, Ryosuke Kominato-kun.

A fast runner on first, and a skilled batter in the box.

Seido can do anything here.

They got a runner with no outs against Narumiya.

They should play it safe and do a sacrifice bunt.

Damn it.

You're taking a huge lead.

Die!

Kominato's preparing for a bunt.

I'm sure they'll do a sacrifice bunt here,

Damn it!

but they might try to hit while keeping Mei distracted with the runner.

It's still the first inning.

Let's focus on the batter, Mei.

I hate you guys.

So much.

Narumiya's not very good at pick-offs,

but he's good at slide stepping.

Getting the timing might be hard.

Slide step, huh?

I can probably steal off that.

Kuramochi.

Once you get on base, aim for the next base like you usually do.

Be careful but bold.

Playing it too safe won't give us the game.

Steal!

Oh! He's going for the steal!

Not happening!

That's suicidal.

They blew their perfect chance.

Safe!

And he's safe!

What a run it was!

The battery saw it coming, yet he still made it!

His speed is on par with Carlos.

What a bold play.

It would've been detrimental if he had gotten out!

A high-risk, high-return play from the start?

No.

This offensive style has always been how they play.

Even in the final,

they play their own style of baseball

no matter who their opponent is.

No outs, and a runner on second?

Damn.

Now you've done it.

A bunt?

That was one-handed!

Mei! First base!

I know!

Out!

Yeah!

Runner on third!

Ryo-san, nice bunt!

With a runner on third, Inashiro could already lose a run here!

Seido has some powerful batters lined up next.

Narumiya!

It's the first inning!

Stay calm!

Let's go!

Jun-san! You've got this!

Batting third, center fielder, Isashiki-kun.

Narumiya's not fully warmed up yet.

Seido really needs a run here.

Aim for a specific pitch,

and swing from the first one.

The outfield is moving in.

Inashiro's preparing to grab an out at the plate.

Shut it.

He's gonna run even on a grounder.

Squeeze, pop fly...

We may have to concede this run.

But if we can take him out,

we can build momentum.

You should know, Mei.

He's not gonna wait to swing.

Let's get aggressive.

Inashiro's battery should know Jun-san's good at hitting right.

They won't give him any outside pitches.

Give it to me!

Give it to me!

Come on!

Give me one to the inside!

Yes!

Just as predicted!

A slider?

He shot the first pitch up high!

We completely jammed him, but he finished his swing.

Second! Back home!

The outfielders were defending forward.

This could be interesting.

Come on!

Fall!

No way!

It's on the ground!

Right between second and center!

Kuramochi steps home after seeing the hit.

Seido scores the first run!

Wow! Seido's amazing.

They scored so easily off Narumiya,

who hasn't given up a run this tournament.

That play was huge.

Yeah.

Kuramochi-kun's steal made this possible.

Yeah!

Not to mention their next batter is...

Fourth batter and first baseman, Yuki-kun.

Well, that was quick.

I guess they're not like...

...the opponents we've faced so far.

It's still the first inning.

Don't let it get to you, Mei.

Tetsu!

You've got this!

Let's score some more—

Safe!

That was close.

His expression changed.

Stupid!

That's too high!

Seriously?

Right down the middle!

To their cleanup?

He's going head-to-head.

You idiot.

Is this the right move?

Of course it is.

A pitcher who can't be aggressive here

can't wear the ace number at Inashiro.

But it looks more like he's...

Has Mei lost it?

In that case,

it's a perfect chance to extend our lead.

Let's see how Furuya can fare against these batters.

Damn, and he's still just a first-year?

He's a monster.

Why don't you throw some easy ones like a normal first-year?

If a ball goes your way, thank you in advance.

Don't think!

Be stupid!

Shut up.

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: I Don't Want To Lose.

I Don't Want To Lose

Let's win the national title!