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Seido Practice Field A Seido – Ichidai Sakurai (West Tokyo) (East Tokyo)

Out!

The second baseman went to cover first base.

That catcher again.

Well played.

When did they plan that out?

I want in!

One out!

Nice, Okumura!

Sakurai Seido

With the runner gone, he's going to be swinging.

Let's keep the pitches low and avoid any extra-base hits.

I thought they'd give up some more runs.

He's calling good timeouts at crucial moments

and calling a good game for an older pitcher.

Nice, second!

Yeah!

Two outs!

Two outs!

He has a strong arm, stability behind the plate,

and the leadership skills that will make even the older boys follow him.

Seto's support is an important part of that,

but with the right training, he could be the best catcher in Tokyo.

He would be heavily influenced by me, though.

Gunma

Yeah!

He swung at the first slider!

Second-base runner Shirasu has made it home!

There's the insurance run Seido's been wanting!

Breathing life into a stale game with a well-placed swing...

That's the job of the cleanup.

I love how clutch that guy is.

If he performs like that at Koshien Stadium this summer,

we'll have another powerhouse to watch out for.

Please, no.

We need to press the battery while they're confused.

Steal!

A hit-and-run!

Zono hit to opposite field?!

Aso!

Yes, yes, yes!

We made the battery think we wouldn't swing at sliders,

then hit it when they threw it to run up the count.

We don't get much playing time in the first string,

I want to play

but we still learn a lot.

Yeah, I want to play, too.

Hakuryu

Seido

Top of the Seventh

Strike! Batter out!

All three pitches were his patented slider.

Ono is getting worked up.

Can you blame him?

They still haven't scored a single run against that pitcher.

Damn it! Just barely missed!

You had your eye on the ball.

Nice swings!

Not everyone could've swung on all three!

I'm disappointed about striking out, but...

There's something fun about this disappointment.

It's thrilling to be outplaying such a strong opponent.

The top of the order is up.

This is the feeling of fulfillment I didn't have at the Invitational!

It's the greatest!

This moment...

Two innings.

Just two innings.

I want this moment for myself

and no one else!

This place is mine!

Top of the Ninth

Yeah!

Thank you!

We'll beat you next time.

Sure, let's play!

I'll break that poker face of yours!

Thank you!

Hakuryu managed to score one run when that double play in the eighth broke down.

Kazuya Miyuki leads a strong Seido defense.

They couldn't get a read on that southpaw.

Eijun Sawamura Innings Pitched: 9\h\h\h\h\h\hPitches: 140 Hits Allowed: 9 \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWalk(s): 1 Strikeouts: 6\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRun(s) Allowed: 1

He looked very comfortable turning things around when he was in trouble...

I bet Hakuryu didn't expect any pitcher besides Furuya to hold them to just one run.

He's really a remarkable pitcher.

He's Eijun Sawamura.

You won't regret learning his name.

I'll help you cool down.

Thanks.

The next game starts in twenty minutes.

Kaneda is starting.

Everyone who's playing in this game, warm up!

If I were a more trustworthy pitcher, you'd've been subbed out sooner!

That makes it my fault!

We lost because I'm not trustworthy!

If the pitcher and catcher become one and produce a work of art...

That will be the best pitching of all.

Nice pitching.

I'm not satisfied.

I let runners get to third too many times...

and I relied too heavily on the fielders.

I'm not satisfied at all!

Good.

Then you can compete with me.

Is he bluffing?

It doesn't matter how well you pitched if you lose the game.

You can't win if your opponent pitches better than you.

If you lose, it's over.

So just don't let them score,

don't give them any openings,

and shut them down.

Overpower them.

The ace must lead his team to victory.

The ace must keep winning.

I'll be the best pitcher in Japan. My goal has not changed.

What's wrong?

You're the one who dragged me out here.

Don't hold back. Throw with everything you've got.

I guess that works for you, though.

You can be the kind of pitcher that pulls his team through brute force.

Even one day longer.

Longer than any other team.

On another note...

If you want to pitch, come see me.

I'll do my best to help.

I won't let it end like this.

I will fulfill my duty.

Game 2 Seido – Hanazawa (West Tokyo) (Tochigi)

Thus began the second game.

Kaneda, the starting pitcher, was taken out in the early innings.

The relief pitcher, Kawashima, took the mound after pitching the previous day.

Hanazawa

Seido

The third-years led the charge and scored run after run.

In the sixth inning, they finally took the lead.

In the eighth inning, second-year Takatsu's

added some insurance runs on a two-RBI hit with the bases loaded.

Hit a Double as Pinch Hitter

Three Strikeouts

Seido defeated Hanazawa High School 8–6.

The team has won all four of their Golden Week games.

Hurry up with those bags!

Yeah! We have to meet at the stands.

Are you heading back?

We'll hang around for a bit.

We're borrowing a field near our hotel.

You're gonna practice?!

Seriously, what is it?

Do you use LINE?

May 5th

Last Day of Golden Week

Tokyo Municipal Komazawa Stadium Yakushi – Ueda (West Tokyo) (Kanagawa)

Yakushi Ueda

I'll protect the first-base line to the death!

Leave this to me and pitch, first-year!

I've got the third-base line!

Not a bad pitch!

Nice pitch!

He's awfully relaxed for his first game pitching.

Nice pitch, Tomobe!

Nice pitch!

That first-year's got a good slider.

And we always need a good southpaw.

One of the few benefits to joining a small team like ours

is getting to play in a lot of games.

We'll get him some experience before the summer

and give ourselves some depth on the bench.

He looks ready to play, not just add depth.

When the new guys are performing well,

it helps motivate the rest of the team.

Everyone benefits.

The only thing I can complain about...

is my idiot son.

Nice pitch, nice pitch!

I wanna hit it!

You're playing too close, Todoroki-senpai.

Stand back, please.

Raichi just hasn't been on the ball lately.

Looks like people have been fawning on him in class, too.

Maybe I fed him too much good food after the Invitational.

I don't like it.

Irate

He's been furrowing his brow lately.

People come to see him every day,

and he said he's been invited out by the boosters more and more.

He can't stand alcohol, though.

I'll go warm up my arm.

You're not gonna pitch today!

Sanada!

You're pitching in the Kanto tournament!

If you hurt yourself...

It's okay.

Think back to last summer

when we played game after game because we didn't have enough players.

Compared to then, I'm taking it easy.

H-Hey, you're still not pitching!

I'll be applying pressure from the bullpen!

I've never seen such an agreeable ace.

I wish he were my son.

You gonna throw?

Man...

We've come so far, become so strong...

But now we've got even more people to answer to.

Man, what a pain.

I've been schooled by a kid again!

Ball four!

Ah, what a waste!

Gunma Day 2 Seido – Akae (West Tokyo) (Gunma)

He walked two batters in a row!

What's wrong?

Akae

Seido

He got six strikeouts on the trot, but now he's losing control.

It must be scary on the bench not knowing when he'll break.

Why are you getting worked up against batters in the bottom of the order?

I was trying to paint the corners.

Then you're way off.

We'll focus on outside fastballs for the early innings.

The batters aren't seeing the ball, so keep the pitches in the strike zone.

Once they start to find pitches to swing at, I'll ask for different ones.

I guess he's not doing well again...

So it would seem.

He's tensing up now that there are runners on base.

He probably realizes it.

The team is starting to get tense when Furuya takes the mound.

Ball!

But that's because everyone knows...

how he pitched in the Invitational.

I believe I only improved because I came here.

And I know I can still get a lot better here.

And that he feels the responsibility of ace

when he's on the mound, more than anyone.

Right here!

Yeah, a double play!

A hard hit right past a runner.

It's a relief that they can handle that.

Two outs!

That's just two outs!

Don't relax until you get one more!

They all feel the same way!

Satoru Furuya Innings Pitched: 7\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hPitches: 140 Hits Allowed: 5\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWalks: 6 Strikeouts: 9\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRuns Allowed: 2

Yes!

Let's go, young Yui!

Sawamura took the mound in the eighth inning.

He and Yui were the battery.

Timeout, please.

What's wrong?

I forgot to take a deep breath.

Huh?

Let's do it together!

Huh?

One more time!

Yes, sir.

He allowed only one hit.

His reliable pitching made for excellent relief.

Akae Seido

The lineup exploded too, and Seido defeated Akae High School 11-2.

Game 2 Seido – Kadowaki (West Tokyo) (Gunma)

Now the second game...

Miyuki was once again the starting catcher.

He called for sinkers against Kadowaki's numerous left-handed batters.

And starting pitcher Kawakami did exactly what he asked for.

He pitched well, not letting any runners reach second base until the fifth inning.

From the seventh inning, the Kaneda-Ono battery pitched,

and the ninth inning saw the Kawashima-Yui battery.

Masashi Yuki At-bats: 4\h\h\hHits: 3\h\h\hRuns Batted In: 3 (2 doubles)

Errors: 2

Seido Kadowaki

The pitching staff held the Kadowaki batters to four hits in a shutout.

I was ready, but I didn't get a chance to play.

I need to up my OBP.

Furuya Sawamura Kawakami Kaneda Kawashima

GP IP H SO BB ER

We managed to make it through without anyone breaking down.

It's a good thing we had Kawashima.

Inbox Soichiro Mima No subject I'll be waiting at Koshien

Sorry, I don't own a smartphone.

What?

A feature phone is all I need.

I see.

In this digital era,

you block out excess information

and trust your own body and emotions.

You must be the stoic type.

I think you're overstating it.

My interest is piqued even more.

I think you and I can share valuable information.

Just tell me your email address.

You're still being so demanding.

Well, since you insist.

How many scouting groups have there been?

The ones that have reached out to you.

The coach said that there were four more after the Invitational.

I'll err on the high side.

About ten, I think.

How about you?

T-Ten?!

The real battle will be after the summer.

How about you?

I'll be seeing you again!

How about you?

Why do I find myself among all these competitive types?

Seido High School Golden Week Games

The results of Seido High School's Golden Week games...

Results: 6–0

Six wins and no losses.

"Beneath the Same Banner"

"Beneath the Same Banner."

It may be more important for Furuya to focus on his daily life instead of baseball.

Furuya, do you really not trust us third-years?

So much so that you try to carry the whole team?

We aren't going to let you play baseball by yourself.

You have tunnel vision right now.

You only see your larger goal.

What kind of pitcher do you think the best in Japan is?

On the next episode of Ace of the Diamond Act II:

"The Note."

Next Time

Let's win the national title!

Illustration / Yuji Terajima