Original subtitles

You're the ace now.

Pitch with power.

He can only pitch a moving fastball.

If he throws anything easy, I'll send it flying.

Strike!

Three consecutive pitches...

...to the inside?

You little... Don't get cocky!

Let's go!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

KICK

miss

Narumiya-kun went three for three.

And they were all inside pitches.

Narumiya would get pissed and even swing at a ball.

He read the batter very well.

Three inside pitches in a row!

What an idiot!

He swung at a ball!

It was a pretty risky pitch sequence,

but that first-year's got some guts to be able to execute it.

Eijun.

Sawamura.

Nice pitch.

Reliable Underclassmen

Narumiya has pitched ten change-ups so far.

He only threw it four times in the first five innings,

but he threw six in the sixth.

It's as if he's trying to shift our focus

to the pitch that struck out Yuki.

In all their past games this season,

he's only used around ten change-ups per game.

Even in this game,

he stopped using it after Isashiki sent it into the outfield.

This is purely a speculation,

but they may have a reason they don't want to use it so many times.

T-True.

There is something off about how they've used it,

but perhaps that's what they want us to think!

It doesn't matter if there's a reason for their use of the change-up.

If they've made us think this hard about it,

then we've already played into their hands.

If we continue to play like we have,

we can't win.

Let's forget their change-up.

Mei, last one!

Don't look so down, Mei!

Chin up!

Deap breaths.

I know! Shut up!

This isn't good.

Seido Inashiro

We've gotten some really good chances,

but we haven't scored since the fifth inning.

Mei's pitched almost 100 pitches, too.

Top of the eighth, and Seido's up to bat.

Batting seventh, left fielder, Furuya-kun.

Furuya!

Monster!

You've got this!

Let's go, Furuya!

Hit it, Furuya!

Be the man!

I was ready to pitch, too, you know!

He got a hit in his last at-bat.

Don't understimate him, Mei.

Why would I?

I'm freaking pissed!

A crossfire pitch to the inside!

Looks like he's pitching with a vengeance!

The count is 1-2.

He's quickly cornered the batter.

Will we see his change-up?

Will that be his final pitch?

Be confident.

Fourth pitch!

Swing with your normal form until the end!

A fastball to the outside, and Furuya hits!

It's a hit to the right field!

Yeah!

Finally after seven innings,

could this be the spark Seido needed?

Nice hit, Furuya-kun!

Don't be so shy about it!

hide

No need to hide it!

Well hit, Furuya!

Leave the rest to me!

touch

What a bunt.

Yes!

Yes! Yes!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Shut up!

It's just a bunt!

A successful sacrifice bunt!

One out and a runner on second.

Seido has put a man in scoring position.

Nice, Sawamura!

You're way too consistent!

They're behind by two runs, but they used a bunt.

Yeah.

I thought they might use a pintch hitter,

but it looks like they want him to keep pitching next inning.

Why won't you let me swing?

Stop making that face!

You're only good at bunts!

Don't get cocky!

Yeah.

He brings the team to life when he pitches.

Not to mention...

His last three pitches

lifted the tension in the air.

It slipped through!

Nice one!

Ninth batter, Shirasu, pulled the first pitch!

What's going on?

Their swings have gotten much sharper.

Mei!

First base! Safe!

Yeah!

One out with runners on first and third!

Shirasu just roared.

Is that...

Is that...

...a fist pump?

From Shirasu?

Seido's runner advanced from second to third,

and their next batter is their lead-off man, Kuramochi!

You've got this!

Let's keep it up, Kuramochi!

Bring the runners home!

Let's go, Kuramochi-senpai!

You've got this!

Come on, Kuramochi!

Kuramochi.

Yes, sir?

Excuse me.

Time out, please.

Time out!

Inashiro's infield are gathering at the mound.

Get out of here!

They're taking a short breather.

One out with runners on first and third.

A lot of possible plays here.

Like a squeeze play.

Yeah.

They need at least one run, no matter what.

I'm sure their coach knows that very well.

Watch out for a squeeze bunt.

I know already!

You're too close!

Too big!

Too scary!

Whaddaya mean "too big"?

Grrrrrrr

Exactly what I said!

Excuse me.

The coach said you can concede a run.

Yeah, I know.

Infield, play halfway.

Outfield, prepare for a long one.

Let's get the outs we can get.

Right.

That's what the coach said.

That we're up two runs for a reason.

You have a problem?

No problems!

Though I think it's a boring plan!

Let me tell you.

The batters are under pressure, too.

I bet they've lost their calm chasing after a run.

So it's 60:40 in...

Wait!

I'm pitching for our team.

So it's 80:20 in our favor.

See?

This is gonna be a piece of cake!

Now scram, kids!

It's hot here, so let's get this game over with!

Unbelievable.

You really think you're a king.

This is the Mei we know.

Mei.

Let's check the first pitch.

I want to see how they react.

I know, so stop—

Let me finish, Mei!

It's my job as the catcher.

Anyway, we can concede a run here.

Let's end this inning with the next two batters.

Keep on moving!

Don't ever stop!

It's one out with runners on first and third at the top of the eighth!

Seido has proven their defense time and time again,

and they've kept an eye out for a chance to score.

This could be the chance they've been looking for!

However, the best southpaw in Kanto,

Mei Narumiya of Inashiro Vocational High, stands in their way!

Let's go, Kuramochi!

Go for it!

He's batting right-handed this time.

Mei-kun!

Narumiya!

Narumiya!

Stay strong!

Mei!

Narumiya-kun!

Mei-kun!

Inashiro's playing their infield halfway.

Looks like they've prepared to lose a run.

But if they just give one away for free,

it'll give Seido momentum.

Goodness.

You're such a worrywart, Masa-san.

We're two runs up.

You don't need to remind me.

This is different from before.

Don't worry!

You can do this!

You're more than just a failure, Kuramochi-senpai!

Be confident!

I'll make it.

I have to make it.

Kuramochi!

You're next at-bat.

Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

He opens up with a ball to the outside.

No signs of a squeeze bunt yet.

If you're gonna do it, then make it quick.

Strike!

Low and away into the corner!

You can't hit my pitch, anyway.

The count is 1-1.

No signs of a squeeze bunt yet.

Are they going for a hit?

I don't know.

Runners on first and third.

They could do it any time.

There's the bunt!

Mei!

He tapped it!

That was close!

W-Wow! How did he tap that?

Dang! Are you serious?

That was a nice tap.

If he'd missed, it would've been game over for the runner.

But...

Two strikes now.

He's completely cornered.

Like I said.

It's 80:20 in our favor.

We can concede a run?

How about being more optimistic?

He didn't swing!

The count is 2-2!

You want me to stand here to concede a run?

No way in hell!

A squeeze bunt after two strikes?

Damn it!

Come on!

I'll do it.

I have to do it!

What?

You want a pinch hitter?

Why would you say that, Kominato?

Are you hurt somewhere?

Ryo-san!

I hate to admit it,

but I can't move like I thought I could.

Are you sure?

Yes.

I know we have...

...a lot of good underclassmen.

First base!

Third base runner scores!

Kuramochi pulls off a risky squeeze bunt after two strikes!

Yeah!

Kuramochi!

Nice bunt!

I can't believe you did it, Kuramochi-senpai!

Shut up!

Whaddaya mean you can't believe it?

You son of a gun!

We got a run back.

Just one more run.

Seido Inashiro

Seido finally scores in the eighth inning!

And a runner is still on second!

They got us good.

But it's two outs now.

Mei, let's get the next batter—

I know!

Seido High School is switching players.

They're switching here?

Isn't Kominato up next?

Pinch hitting for the second batter and baseman, Ryosuke Kominato-kun,

is Haruichi Kominato-kun.

Smack the first pitch, Haruichi.

You've got this.

Kuramochi pulled off the squeeze bunt,

and now we're just one run behind with a runner on second.

Smash it, Harucchi!

I can't catch up to you if I just do what's normal.

I'll break your bat!

What reliable underclassmen.

Wouldn't you say, Captain?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: The Three-Hole.

The Three-Hole

Let's win the national title!