Summary
The chapter opens with the results of Sankou’s match with a score of 0-10. Meanwhile, Yakushi’s match is in its second inning and they are leading with a score of 4 runs. Mishima then hits to the outfield and scores a RBI for his team.
Raichi is up next, but Gomidai’s pitcher walks him. The audience notes that the battery has avoided challenging Raichi and this might be a pattern going forward, though what’s important is the person who bats after him since Sanada is benched today. We also see Nabe and Kudou in the stands observing the game.
Tomobe, wearing jersey number 18, walks up to the batter box. He seems to be staring a cloud that looks like a naked lady lying down in a suggestive position. Tomobe makes a comment to himself that “the cloud looks erotic. A voluptuous madam cloud”.
His fellow first years are cheering him, while the catcher comments to himself that they weren’t avoiding Raichi but rather, it was a strategic choice to get the outs that they have a higher chance of obtaining.
Tomobe, however, connects with the pitch, overpowering the pitcher and scores another RBI for the team. Raizou makes a comment to Sanada that Tomobe has a flexible wrist, and Sanada also notes that Tomobe has a strong lower body that allows him to be unaffected by breaking balls. Raizou continues that Tomobe Sakito is his best find in the team this year.
Back in the game, Kuroki, the 6th batter, hits a sacrificial fly and scores another RBI, making it the third run for this inning. Next up, Hayakawa makes a hit and now there are runners on the 1st and 3rd base.
Sankou players are on the side observing the match. The first years recognize Tomobe Sakito from Chounan Senior, Hayakawa from Akakura Senior, and Kuroki from Jounan Senior, have picked Yakushi for their high school. Hoshida observes that their first years have started to contribute to the team’s offense as compared to their performance in the spring. It looks like Yakushi’s lower batting lineup has now been fortified.
Back in the game, Tomobe strikes out the batter, ending the match with a called game in the 5th inning with a score of 13-1. Out of the 5 innings that he pitched, he only lost one run. The audience comments that the team gives off a strong vibe considering that they had a called game without their ace Sanada pitching. The next match will be on Saturday with Sankou vs Yakushi and to be held at the Hachiouji stadium.
As Yakushi leaves the ground, Sanada comments to Raizou that “from here on is the real thing.” Raizou retorts that their goal is so far away right now, that’s not funny at all. Meanwhile, Sankou’s coach comments that this is “The Revenge”, and that they will defeat Yakushi and gain more power since the stronger will win!
Back at Seidou’s grounds, Kuramochi and Haruichi executes an excellent combination play with the first years cheering for them. Meanwhile, Furuya and Sawamura are practicing in the bullpen. Oota is concerned that Sawamura might be overdoing it since he pitched yesterday and now today. Ochiai responds that Sawamura probably isn’t satisfied with his pitching from the day before. Miyuki, who is catching for Furuya, comments that Sawamura seems to be only pitching fastballs. Okumura responds that it was Sawamura’s request to do so. Sawamura is thinking to himself that “this is the feeling. Why couldn’t I pitch this way yesterday?”.
However, Furuya says to Sawamura that he won’t get a chance to pitch tomorrow so he can go all out today. Sawamura retorts that he plans to prepare himself to be in the best condition for tomorrow, after all, he is the “bullpen king”!
The chapter ends with Furuya saying “I will connect it… I will definitely connect us to the next match.”
Originally serialized in Shuukan Shounen Magazine Issue #17, 2019.
All images are copyrighted by Terajima Yuuji / Kodansha.
Thoughts
I think this chapter really sets the stage for the next two major matches, both of which I’m quite excited for. Yakushi, as a team, has vastly improved since the spring games. I really want both teams to win so I truly cannot predict which team will be eliminated from the tournament. It would suck if Sankou losses again to Yakushi but well, no more Sanada?! That would sad. Let’s hope the author puts up an epic match for these two teams.
The other highlight from the chapter would be the last two pages where Furuya tells Sawamura that he will connect them to the next match. At the beginning of the Yurakou match, Sawamura also said the same thing - that Furuya can stay in the bench because he will make sure there will be a next match - even though he said that to himself on the mount rather than to Furuya’s face. So I was quite surprised by this development.
Both boys seemed to have shed their I-will-beat-you rivalry and now exhibit a determination to pitch in a way that would help the team advance in the tournament. At the same time, they still show their personalities in that they remain unwilling to share the mount with each other, but it’s not so much about their petty rivalry anymore.
In short, I really like this chapter. A lot. Next week’s chapter will begin Seidou’s match with Hachiyaouji, with color pages and issue cover so there’s much to look foward to!