Summary

The chapter opens with the audience commenting on the proceedings of the current match: no outs, with a runner on second and third base. It was a close call, thanks to quick response from the right fielder. Someone comments that Todoroki is crazy to be able to hit that last pitch, living up to his name as a “monster” batter. But now, it’s the cleanup crew’s turn - the perfect chance to score two runs at the very least.

We see Sanada stepping into the batter box. In Yakushi’s dugout, Raizou comments that while it was practice with the batting machines, Amahisa’s slider path has been burned into each batter’s eyes. As long as they are able to identify that one pitch from the rest, they can at least take away one of Amahisa’s weapons. Internally, he apologizes to Sanada for having to rely once again on his batting prowess, even though he managed to be relieved from being the starting pitcher.

Meanwhile, Sankou is having a time-out on the mount. Takami (catcher) tells the infielders to shift forward and the outfielders to prepare for a long hit. Amahisa quips that their long, serious faces isn’t necessary, right? After all, that was Todoroki and they were lucky it wasn’t a home run. The rest of his teammates lightly retorts he’s not the one who gets to say that considering how the hit was off him, and return to their positions. Takami asks Amahisa if they should use “that” pitch. Amahisa respond that if it gets hit, the runners will make it home so there is no reason to rush and use it just yet. Takami agrees and tells Amahisa to be agressive in his pitching as it has yet to stabilize.

In the stands, Nabe comments to Takashima that Yakushi may aim for surprise squeeze. Takashima responds that with Yakushi, you can’t really tell especially since Sanada is a good batter and they wouldn’t want to waste a good opportunity to score. Yakushi’s cheerleading squads starts playing the “See Off” tune. Amahisa thinks it’s quite apt because he finds it motivating for himself as well. As he begins to pitch, he knows Sanada wants a fastball so he delivers it. Sanada swings for it but misses - first strike for Amahisa. Raizou comments that the battery has chosent to be agressive with their attack. The crowd exlaims at Amahisa’s out-low pitch which was clocked at 149km/h.

According to Sankou’s coach, Amahisa’s fall out has been talked about a lot since the fall tournament, yet he never lost his motivation to improve, even now in this match. The second pitch which curved away, was a strike that Sanada did not swing for, thinking it would be a ball. Nabe comments that it was quite an effective pitch even back in the spring tournament. As Amahisa rears up to pitch his third, he thinks to himself that Sanada will be a top class batter if he is able to hit this shot. The last pitch is Amahisa’s slider which Sanada swings for but misses.

Sankou erupts with cheers, calling the shot his trademark weapon, “Ama-lider” (天ライダー). With that, Amahisa considered that he’s paid back what he owed in the fall tournament, and the rest of his at-bats will be a piece of cake. Raizou notes that it seems those practice pitching from the machine wasn’t enough preparation for the real thing. Mishima is up next and super-confident that he would hit off Amahisa, but he was also struck out with three successive pitches. Raichi, seeing the pithces, is totally hyped to try hitting it.

Tomobe, who has been waiting, wonders if having a runner on third actually revved Amahisa up. The audiences note that the infielders have moved back in and it would be bad if Yakushi does not score this round. After all, this would be the best opportunity to score off Amahisa while he is not yet stablized. As Amahisa rears up to pitch, he thinks to himself that this first year must be something - being the starting pitcher, and cleanup - calling Tomobe a “golden rookie”. Tomobe, unfortunately, was struck out as well.

Amahisa continues to himself that he has no intention to let Tomobe feel good about himself when he gets on the mount. His last pitch was clocked at 151km/h. The crowd exclaims that Amahisa has finally broken the 150km/h mark in his final summer. It looks like the West Tokyo district is full of amazing pitchers! Raichi looks positively excited for his next at-bat, while Sankou warmly welcomes their ace back to the dugout.

Originally serialized in Shuukan Shounen Magazine Issue #31, 2019.
All images are copyrighted by Terajima Yuuji / Kodansha.

Scoreboard

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 計
薬師 0 0
市大三 0

Thoughts

Wow, Amahisa - that was a slow clap moment. If this is where his pitching is at right from the first inning, I have to wonder how Yakushi will fare in the later innings.

Things are heating up!! Definitely can’t wait for the next chapter!