Original subtitles

Sawamura's looking good on the mound

striking out the three-hole, Mishima, with a change-up!

But the battle doesn't end yet.

Next up is Yakushi's cleanup, Raichi Todoroki.

He got a home run his last at bat.

What's Sawamura's plan here?

The Decision

Sawmaura pitched a breaking ball?

A change-up, too!

He's evolving!

He's evolving!

Great!

It's different.

I'm different now.

In this game, no matter who you're up against,

don't run away.

I'm worried about his track record. Don't be reckless.

I want to use the change-up as bait,

but I'm scared it might go a little high.

Should I go with the pitch he's feeling really good about?

The pitch he couldn't throw in the summer practice game.

Let's say hello with this.

A fastball

to the inside.

Another inside pitch?

They're getting aggressive again.

They're not scared at all.

I don't like how they're not using Furuya, who's most effective against us.

Remind him just how scary you are with a big one, Raichi.

Sawamura!

Raichi!

Come on, Sawamura!

A big one, Raichi!

Relax my body,

and focus on my fingertips.

Right here!

Into left field!

I got overpowered?

Why'd you hit that difficult pitch?

You should've let that one go!

Mmmmmmm

Th...

Th... That was

That was my best pitch.

Th... That was my best pitch.

He jammed it!

Yeah, it was a good pitch!

Don't try to console me!

It'll only make me weak!

He's really frustrated.

He must've had a lot of confidence.

But he gave up a home run in the summer.

That's a passing grade.

Switch gears.

We have another scary batter.

He jammed Raichi with his fastball.

That's pretty impressive.

Damn you!

Todoroki's a fast runner, too.

Don't let him get a big lead.

In the first at-bat, he swung at Kawakami's slider.

In the second, he swung at a fastball.

I think he's mainly good at hitting fastballs,

but I'll have to check first.

A moving fastball to the outside.

If the runner runs, pitch it wide.

He's going for it!

No hesitation!

He steals second base!

The runner's now in scoring position!

Did he... misthrow?

Miyuki...

Time out, please.

Time out!

The runner might run again,

but don't worry about that.

That batter is a bigger problem.

We got a free strike.

I want to pitch one to the inside before finishing him with a change-up.

Can you do it?

More like, can you?

Don't put everything on your back just because you're the captain.

One out and a runner on second in the bottom of the fifth.

Yakushi is looking to take the lead.

Sanada earned the winning runs last game.

Sanada!

Sanada-senpai!

Can Seido's first-year southpaw, Sawamura, remain stouthearted

against Yakushi's five-hole batter?

Sawamura, look around you!

Pitch to contact!

Damn.

Just wait behind the plate!

Like a boss!

You're so loud!

I don't care how much of a slump you're in.

I'll throw my best pitch into your mitt every time!

A slump?

He doesn't disappoint me.

What an idiot.

I didn't want him to worry about me, anyway,

so if he's able to focus on pitching, there's nothing better.

He's really good against fastballs.

If you don't pitch your best, he'll smack it away.

Give me a cutter into his chest.

Don't let me down.

Bring it on.

He's looking fired up.

You won't have your way.

Not this time.

Sanada! Come on!

Get aggressive, Wamura!

We've made it to the final undefeated,

but if we don't win today, we can't advance.

Tokyo is full of strong teams.

We might not get another chance.

I won't let it go.

He regripped!

This time,

we're going to the nationals!

Center!

Raichi, halfway!

He jammed me.

He's giving me everything, too!

Tojo!

Fall!

The ball drops right in front of the center fielder.

The runner on second can't get home.

Yeah!

It's one out with runners on first and third now.

Sanada-senpai.

A hit is a hit! Doesn't have to look pretty.

Karma, you know?

Shun, you...

Oh? Yeah.

I couldn't help yelling.

I mean, who could hold it in?

Let's do it, Captain.

Sanada.

It's raining ugly hits again!

Life is hard!

Damn that pitcher.

He jammed both Raichi and Sanada.

Did he also just pitch...

...a cutter?

Those were Sawamura's best two pitches today.

Yet they both managed to hit them to the outfield.

How scary.

But this is the true test.

Batting sixth and right fielder, Hirahata-kun.

We stop them here.

Seido's infield is moving up a bit.

Are they trying to make a double play?

What about a squeeze bunt?

Yakushi wouldn't do that.

He's good enough to jam Raichi and Sanada.

I can't get mad at them for saving their ace.

We need all the runs we can get,

or we could lose this.

What's the plan?

I can't hesitate.

It's worse to try something different and mess up.

He gave up a double play,

but the hit itself was pretty good.

Believe in your swing, Hirahata!

Hirahata!

Sawamura!

Come on, Hirahata!

Let's get it!

Sawamura! We're here for you!

Let's pitch moving fastballs and make him hit a grounder.

Our best three batters had trouble hitting his pitch.

Can I do it?

How do I do it?

The coach is giving me his complete trust.

You can do this.

Raichi and Sanada created this opportunity.

I have to pull through.

What can I do?

What can I do?

A safety squeeze?

A safety squeeze?

If I roll it...

If I roll it along the line,

Raichi can run home.

I just need to roll it.

Foul!

Oh! He messed up!

Yakushi went for a squeeze?

Was that the coach's decision?

It might have been the batter's.

Damn.

That idiot.

I told him to trust his swing.

You've been swinging every day,

even in the rain and on off-days.

You've put in the work.

Let me give you a real order, then.

This is something only you can do, Captain!

The bunt wasn't the coach's order.

Give me another moving fastball...

...to the outside.

The second one goes a little wide, and it's a ball!

They didn't react that time.

Did they give up after seeing how much Sawamura's pitch moves?

But let's be careful.

Another one to the outside.

A four-seamer this time.

Squeeze bunt!

Hey, you're good at bunts.

Hirahata, was it?

Yes. Thank you, sir.

Make sure you practice swinging, too.

I won't use players who can't hit, even if they're good at bunts.

I was really fortunate to have met these two.

He had so much talent.

Baseball Journal - Ryo Hirahata

The little confidence I had was completely stripped away.

I stopped expecting too much out of myself.

But it made me face reality in a good way.

Be flexible and reactive. Don't stand in the batter's box with an empty head. The situation changes constantly. Never stop thinking.

This is where I start.

Confidence comes from practice. Step by step. Never give up! I can do better!

What can I do?

I want to get better! I can do more! Way more!

What do I want to do?

I can't let them down! I want to go to nationals!

How do I live?

First base!

Home in!

The squeeze bunt succeeds!

Yakushi takes the lead!

You did well, Captain.

You wanted a run, no matter what.

But so did everyone else.

I'll take responsibility for the calls.

You kids on the field just do whatever you want!

W-We gave up runs in two consecutive innings!

He seems to be in good condition.

So it must be a match-up issue!

Damn it!

That's it. Get it all out.

Sawamura. Runner's on second.

Save the reviewing for after we get the out!

Two outs!

We'll turn it around, easy!

Yes, sir!

That's the spirit!

I never thought Yakushi would squeeze bunt.

They're really trying to win here.

Yeah.

But it's just the fifth inning.

Are they doing whatever it takes to win?

Or were they forced to score outside their style?

Damn.

H-Hey!

Don't throw all out!

Furuya!

Hey.

It's too soon for you.

It's not your turn yet!

Go sit back down!

Ignore

Says the guy who's usually loud.

Batting seventh, Abe hits a grounder to second to give up the third out.

We're going into the second half of the Fall Tokyo Tournament Final.

Seido Yakushi

It's Seido High School versus Yakushi High School,

and we go into the sixth inning with Yakushi in the lead, 3-4.

Top of the sixth. Seido is up to bat.

Let's go back to the dugout.

Batting eighth and pitcher, Sawamura-kun.

That's me!

Are you happy now?

Sawamura!

We don't expect much from you!

Just swing three times!

If you hit, it's a miracle!

Raise your arm.

Does it hurt?

No.

How's this?

Now look sideways.

Looks like twisting it hurts.

Nothing's broken,

but he is having pain,

so his oblique muscles might be injured.

It could potentially be a muscle tear.

Considering it's the oblique muscles,

it will most assuredly affect his performance.

It's a hard call to make, since he's saying he can manage.

To be honest, I never expected his ribs to be hurt from his plays.

I doubt the opponent can tell, either.

What incredible willpower he has.

Why didn't you tell us yesterday?

You know very well what happened to Chris-kun when he was injured.

Well...

We have a long break after today,

so I thought I could last a day.

What are you saying?

We have the Jingu Tournament coming up soon,

and you're the one who's going to pay the price for hiding an injury!

If we don't win today, there's no Jingu Tournament or spring invitational for us,

Rei-chan.

Not to mention...

...the coach will leave, too.

If you couldn't play, you'd say so, right?

He hasn't said anything, so it means he can play.

Kuramochi-kun.

You try to be way too cool!

You need to tell us when you get hurt!

Yeah, you pretend to worry about other people.

Seriously.

You're so stubborn when it comes to baseball.

Yep.

I've left the decision to the coach.

So long as I'm on the field, I'll do my best.

Yes.

I'll make the call based on his plays.

I've already told them that.

Seido Yakushi

Look closer, Aso-senpai!

Grounder to first

His pitch isn't hard to hit!

He's trying to pretend his at-bat didn't happen.

Shut up, stupid!

Don't take me lightly!

It's headed for the shortstop!

There's no speed!

Safe!

That's right!

Did you see that?

Don't do what you're not used to doing. You'll get hurt.

I allowed a runner.

This is where things get annoying.

Or rather, where things get fun!

I've gotta be super positive!

Just like Miss-shima!

There!

Yes!

Yakushi's ace, Sanada, allowed a runner after one out,

but he got the next two outs without a problem,

and Seido couldn't find a run!

We retire the sides for Yakushi's turn to bat!

A swinging strike out on an inside pitch!

The first-year, Sawamura, goes three for three this inning!

Yeah!

Neither team could score in the sixth inning!

The game goes into the seventh!

Did you see that?

Akiba struck out?

Damn.

That fastball was sick.

Well, then. Let's do this.

I can't lose to a first-year.

We tied the game, but it didn't last long.

Yakushi quickly scored a run, and we go into the seventh inning.

The game's just getting started!

Come! Give me that pitch!

Can they come out of the inning unscathed?

If they concede any more runs, it could mean the end.

Swing your arm down like you're throwing into the plate!

Next time on Ace of the Diamond Season 2:

Partnership

Partnership.

Let's win the national title!