"Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe"
Okay! I'm announcing the lineup!
At long last!
First, first base, Nozomi.
Second, second base, Sumire.
Third, as catcher, Tamaki.
Fourth, center field, Rei.
Fifth, shortstop, Ryo.
Sixth, third base, Risa.
Seventh, pitcher, Yomi.
Eighth, right field, Shiragiku.
O-Okay!
Ninth, left field, Ibuki.
Well, no surprise there.
Let's show off everything we practiced! Go out there and have fun!
Captain, any words for the team?
U-Uh, yeah... Right...
Ahem. Let's see...
Let's go out there and win!
Yeah!
They move really well.
Yeah. They didn't use to be good,
but last year, they built a team around their first-year ace pitcher, Asakura,
and got top 16 in prefecture and top 8 last fall.
They're favorites this summer too.
Wha?! That's not a team you throw beginners at!
I'm surprised they agreed to play.
Is that their ace, Asakura?
Nope. That's another pitcher, Oono.
Her stats are impressive too.
She's got 5 earned runs in 28 innings and made best 16 in spring.
A lefty sidearm pitcher!
That's so cool!
Damn that Asakura! Who does she think she is, sleeping in on game day?!
She's making me, the true ace of our team, pitch against these kids!
Hi there.
Play!
"Pitch 4: Pitch of Promise"
An ace like me is pitching to you runts. You should be grateful.
Now, let's see you chew on this!
Saitama's deadliest sidearm throw--my killer crossfire!
Sweet! Through the gap!
I can reach third!
A triple!
Nice hit!
What to do? Try a squeeze?
The infield hasn't moved. It's like they're conceding the run.
Yeah! But we don't need their charity!
Crush it! Just don't infield fly or strike out!
Roger that!
Bring it!
Play!
Strike!
I can't believe Nozomi hit the first pitch.
Still, it's not too much for me to manage!
Oops! Pop fly!
It's good enough for a sacrifice!
Safe!
Woohoo!
One on the board!
Nice one, Nozomi!
Sumire, nice at bat!
One run on three pitches...
Play!
How is a crummy team like this scoring on me?
Tama!
I'm fine.
Nice! That's our captain for you!
One out and runners in scoring position!
All right! Let's keep it rolling!
Don't slide!
Ryo! Nice blooper!
Jeez! Quiet, you!
That dropped nicely.
Let's make the best of it!
Out!
What an arm!
Shoot! I underestimated Asai's arm!
That wake you up? You're throwing like a wimp!
You don't think I know?!
Strike three!
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4" "Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe"
You nervous?
You'll do okay today.
What kind of encouragement is that?
Back at you.
Let's shut 'em down!
Yeah!
Tama's leading the way...
--Bring it on! --...and everyone's cheering me on!
--Hit it right here! --...and everyone's cheering me on!
It's finally begun!
We're playing baseball!
Strike!
Yes!
Foul!
Her fastball has a good path even though it's cutting a bit.
But we're ahead in the count.
Since it's a practice match, there's no need to hold back.
Let's do "that" pitch!
Yup!
Wild pitch?
Strike three!
Yeah!
Perfect!
A curve? That sure bent hard.
It's sick. It looked wild but came down the middle.
That's out number one.
Play!
It doesn't matter if it's sick or not.
I'll take the fastball right before it!
I won't make it in time!
Out!
Nice stop, Risa!
You sure smothered that one!
To make up for striking out.
Besides, this is our first real game for us as a team!
Mine!
Okay! It's all you!
Calm down!
Bring up the glove right before the catch!
I-I did it!
Out!
Nice catch! Your first fly, huh?
Yeah!
Ibuki!
You saved me, you two! I love you!
You're exaggerating, silly.
Yomi, you're batting next!
All right! Let's get myself a hit!
Strike three!
Didn't stand a chance...
The bottom of our lineup went 1-2-3...
We might've got a little too cocky.
I wonder what inning it is?
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6" "Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe"
It's halfway into the game.
We're doing well so far.
The real test starts when they face Yomi a second time!
Sorry! I allowed a runner!
It's okay. We're ahead on runs, so relax.
R-Right!
Safe!
That was a close one...
We can't score any more runs off Oono...
...and I don't wanna give any up!
If I can keep this under control, we'll win!
Strike!
So fast!
I got myself into this pinch, so I'll get myself out!
Wha...?!
They're all safe...
Sorry, Yomi!
I'm the one who should've had that...
Don't worry about it. We got unlucky, but your fastball was good!
O-Okay.
Play!
Having said that, it's not gonna work against their cleanup.
Gimme "that" pitch!
Shoot!
Shiragiku! Throw home!
Got it!
Third base!
Sorry! I gave up a run!
Time out!
Huh? Wh-What?
That last pitch was so bad, I thought maybe you popped a blister.
You didn't have to say it like that.
We're finally playing baseball, but you're not enjoying it.
Are you holding back that pitch from me?
It won't get past me! I promise!
Don't worry about the runners. Just pitch.
We've all got your back! Don't try to win alone!
Right!
Yomi! You're scaring the hell out of us!
Chill out! Try to relax!
Guys! Sorry... and thanks!
Gimme "that" pitch!
Here goes!
Strike two!
Nice pitch!
She's gonna throw it three times in a row!
Still, even knowing that...!
This pitch...!
Strike three!
Atta girl, Yomi!
Nice pitch!
My fingers feel hot!
Who knew pitching with all my heart felt so good?!
Yomi!
I've never felt this excited before! Your pitch is the best!
That's right... All I have to do is pitch and trust her glove.
As long as Tama leads the way, we've got this!
Out!
Nozomi!
Out!
We survived somehow.
Yeah!
I thought they'd tie it up this inning for sure, but...!
Incredible! You guys are awesome! Better than I imagined!
That was a wicked pitch to strike out Amai!
Throw that to me later!
Come on! Let's score some runs!
Wish me luck!
--Play! --This one's dangerous.
Her swing is a mess, but it could put the ball into orbit.
Come on, fall already!
Safe!
Woohoo! Shiragiku's first hit!
Nice hit!
A hit! I did it!
Her first hit?!
Not only did I give up three runs, but some beginner got her first hit off me!
You just wait! I'm gonna have the last laugh!
Out!
"1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8"
--Woo! --Yeah! --Nice hit!
Victory will be mine, suckers!
Nice bomb!
Asakura! How about I bomb your face for waltzing in this late?!
"1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8"
Sorry. I let 'em get ahead.
They only have a lead of one run though. It's too early to give up!
There's two innings left!
Still, that's the first homer I've given up...
Don't worry! It's a bummer, but it's not the end of the world!
Th-That pitcher...!
What's up?
Last summer, she gave up just three runs in four games with her heater!
Yana U's true ace pitcher, Chikage Asakura!
Hmph.
Play!
Strike!
Foul!
This pitch...!
Strike three!
--Good job! --Nice pitch! --We've got this!
Hmph. She's just capitalizing on the lead I made.
Take 'em lightly, and you'll pay the price.
Strike three!
She's a monster!
What's up, Yoshino? Is watching us get ripped apart too much to handle?
No, I just forgot to blink.
She's right up there with the pitchers at the nationals.
This game's over with our next three batters.
No, no! Somebody's gotta get on base, 'coz I wanna hit!
You okay?
High-school baseball is full of amazing players like her?
Yomi?
Her fastball's insane! I can't wait to see it in person!
Yeah.
In that case, let's make it three outs in a row!
Right!
All right!
Instead of Yomi freaking out after seeing that pitcher,
she forgot all about the homer.
--Strike three! --She's found her special pitch...
...and an unfazed fastball!
Out!
Now I can finally steer the game how I want!
Out!
I wish I could catch like this forever!
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R" "Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe" Come on, guys!
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R" "Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe" Score some runs so it's not our last inning!
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R" Score some runs so it's not our last inning!
What?! It's already seventh inning? Unless we score, it's over!
I wanna keep pitching 'cuz I'm finally in the groove!
Same goes for me.
In that case, we gotta score somehow.
Yoshino, do something!
Um... Yomi, Shiragiku, or Ibuki needs to get a hit...
...and then score off Nozomi or else we lose!
We're doomed then.
Just don't count on me.
Come on! Let's get Nozomi up to bat!
Yeah!
She's that good, huh?
It seems even faster as a batter!
Strike three!
A fork?
Too fast for that. Maybe a splitter!
She knew she could strike me out with a fastball, but threw that anyway.
Strike three!
Ibuki! You've got this!
Remember all our practice!
Get Nozomi up to bat!
Let me bat!
Quit pressuring me, please!
Ibuki!
Hmm?
Um, all right. If that's what you think is best.
Why is Ibuki batting left-handed?
Don't you think it looks awkward for her?
She's imitating a batter good at cutters.
But can she hit left-handed?
Imitations at a time like this? Just don't blame me if we lose!
She hit it?!
Woohoo!
Ibuki doesn't have the power to get a base hit.
But since she's got good eyes, it's our best chance.
It felt so heavy! But, if all I have to do is hit it...!
Foul!
Ball!
Foul!
Ball!
Now it's 2-2!
It's a strike! A cutter!
I whiffed! It's over!
Ibuki! Run!
Huh?
Nice hustle, Ibuki!
Nice at bat!
Passed ball!
Passed ball! Make 'em pay for their mistake!
That's our Ibuki for you!
All that matters is the result, right?!
And this means Nozomi gets a chance to bat!
Sorry.
It's fine. I just wanted to practice some splitters in a match.
The next one's a decent power hitter.
I wonder what Asakura will serve her?
Play!
Strike two!
Nozomi's behind in the count that quickly?!
She's throwing even faster than before.
She was holding back when we were up?!
What would you call next, Tamaki?
I guess a splitter in the same spot as the first pitch.
Any normal hitter wouldn't go for it.
But, if it's Nozomi...!
Foul!
Ball!
Foul!
She's throwing breaking balls.
But she's staying alive.
Pitch me your fastball!
She nailed it!
And belted it deep!
Thanks for making me run way out here.
Aww!
"Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R" "Shin Koshigaya" "Yana U Kawagoe"
Game over, huh?
That was a good match!
A close one too!
Takeda?
Huh? Oh, Asakura!
Your pitch curves so much, it's like magic.
I can't come close to competing with you though.
You guys have a good team.
Yeah! Thank you!
Let's meet again in an official game?
Of course!
An official game, huh?
Wouldn't it be nice?
Yeah!
Our first match as a team!
What do you think, Tama? Wasn't it fun?
It wasn't just fun. It was the best!
Yomi, Tamaki! We're gonna review the game!
Oh, okay!
Let's go!
"Next Episode: Losing Streak"