The BEST episodes written by Takahiro Udagawa
#1 - My Role
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 15
It's Seido vs Ichidai Third High in the spring tournament semifinals. Up 2 - 0 until the fifth inning, Seido's starting pitcher Furuya faces an Ichidai rally. Unable to control the ball, his pitching continues to falter. Miyuki trusts Furuya as the ace and does his best to guide him. However, after his third walk in one inning, Coach Ochiai gives Coach Kataoka a bit of advice, helping him make a firm decision to...
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#2 - Incomplete
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 24
The White Dragon Battle has finally begun. Hakuryu is a team that boasts one of the best mobility in Japan, centered on No. 3 Mima. Sawamura suddenly gets into a pinch for the first time. Is Sawamura's pitching valid for the Hakuryu batting line? On the other hand, Seido also changed the batting order after the defeat in the spring tournament and changed to an aggressive order to challenge this game. Whereabouts of the game ──?
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#3 - Partnership
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 47
Miyuki gets his ribs checked out. In the bottom of the sixth, Sawamura shows a strong performance going three for three. With the sides retired, Haruichi stands in the batter's box with a wooden bat, and Sanada looks confident.
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#4 - The World Beyond
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 35
Seiko Academy and Seidou High's match reach its conclusion. Seiko Academy is defeated and Seidou High advances to the finals.
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#5 - That's the Reason Why
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 51
The second match of Natsudai and Seido, which has finally begun, is Prince Yaya, who has the master Kawabata of Uchino. The starting lineup for the blue road is Furuya, who is recovering. The fastball growls from the first time. However, Prince Hachiya also set a solid goal for Furuya's fastball. The hit ball of No. 3 Kawabata that was swung out is about to come out in front of the center. However, the combination of Haruichi & Kuramochi's duo prevents it ──!
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#6 - Just You Wait!
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 49
The Tokyo Fall Tournament Final is nearing its end. With Yakushi leading 3-4, we go into the top of the ninth inning. Kuramochi hits a fast hit, but Yakushi's all-in defense stops it. Next up is Tojo. The Seido supporters in the crowd are cheering as loud as they can.
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#7 - Reliable Underclassmen
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 57
As Seidos's players continue to get confused by Narumiya's pitches, Coach Katoka comes up with a dangerous plan. He tells his batters to give up on the change-up. Seido begins their rally with the underclassmen. Furuya gets on base, Eijun moves him to second, and Kuramochi gets on bringing Ryosuke to bat. Inashiro's defense begins to shift for the threat, but they are all shocked when Ryousuke asks Katoka to replace with a pinch hitter.
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#8 - As a Catcher
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 36
The Tokyo selection, in which Miyuki participated, was unable to capture the tall left-handed Conrad of the American Wind Youth. And Narumiya finally pitched in the 7th inning with the American lead. On the other hand, in the blue road vs. mountain defense battle on the blue road ground, Furuya teams up with Ono for a battery. Ono quietly burns his fighting spirit to make him pitch like Furuya when Miyuki is absent.
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#9 - 20 People
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 42
On the way back from the Tokyo selection match, Miyuki confesses that he is in Narumiya, where he was with him by train. Miyuki and Narumiya swear a hot battle at Natsudai and break up. On the other hand, the fierce battle with Saiho is over at the Seido Ground. Seido Nine reaffirms the challenges for the summer, including the loss to Yamamori Gakuin. Meanwhile, 20 players who were allowed to enter the bench at Natsudai were about to be decided.
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#10 - Under the Feet
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 47
Summer University has finally begun. Yura Sogo and Sakaki, who will be the opponent of the first match of the blue road, pull the shin and wait for the day of the match. Rivals Inami and Narumiya also pitched in the first match. Shows the attitude of Inami baseball, which does not create a gap even if it is a subordinate opponent. A leading school in the district that cuts the fire of battle all at once at stadiums around the world. And finally, the day has come for Sawamura to rise to the mound as an ace ──!
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#11 - Heat Transfer
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 33
Sawamura shows solid growth in practice games and makes the surroundings stand out. In his mind was the hot pitching he played in the Battle of the White Dragon. Sawamura's passion for pitching also spreads to Furuya. Furuya aims for pitching with content by forming a battery with Okumura in the second battle. Furuya's feelings are to get on the ball and move.
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#12 - Get Back
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 48
Sawamura who carried the ace number on his back and climbed the mound of the first game of the summer. However, he allowed the first batter to go to base and broke the rhythm, losing one point from the first time. With a runner still in the scoring position, Yura Sogo and Sakaki aim for the in-course fastball, which Sawamura is most good at. Sawamura gets stuck in the old Sakaki's surgery. Where is the match going?
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#13 - The Note
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 27
Seido’s first string returns from the golden week practice games. Due to Sawamura’s outstanding performance in the Hakuryu match, an article about him was published, making his presence known. Coach Kataoka hands out baseball journals with some comments about the practice games written in them. Sawamura’s comments from the coach serve to motivate him to work harder, while Furuya’s compels him do some self reflection. The team practices fielding with the coach.
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#14 - The Lead-off Man
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 41
The finals match begin with Seidou's offense. Kuramochi shows his prowess as Seidou's lead-off but despite making it to third, Seidou doesn't score. At the bottom, Kawakami starts for Seidou and Miyuki calls for the sinker.
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#15 - Something to Find Out
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 18
After seeing the result of the spring tournament, the Seido players think about what they lack, and begin to act on it. Sawamura shows an especially strong will to improve, and it propagates to other third-years. Meanwhile, the final game of the spring tournament is being played. Miyuki and Furuya, who has felt pressure ever since playing at Koshien Stadium, are at Meiji Jingu Secondary Stadium to see it.
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#16 - The Best Fastball
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 44
Kawakami gives up a home run to Raichi and a hit to Sanada. Kuramochi and Haruichi gets a double play in order to back Kawakami up. However, Kawakami loses control of the ball and gives up a base on balls and a hit by pitch.
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#17 - Lonely Sun
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 60
After giving up the lead, Narumiya remembers how he cost Inashiro's at last year's Koshien. With renewed confidence, Narumiya decides to show seido what a true ace is composed of.
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#18 - Entrusted Faith and the Courage to Perform
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 54
In the top of the fifth Furuya gets a hit off of Narumiya, leading to a chance to tie the game with Shirasu. The only problem- Shirasu bats ninth. Will Shirasu make it on base, and what will Inashiro do when Tanba takes the mound in the bottom of the fifth?
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#19 - Potential
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 35
Furuya comes up to bat in the 7-spot and hits a solo homerun to make it 4-1 in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom of the third inning Coach Katoka decides to make his move and bring in Sawamura while Furuya moves out to left field. At first Sawamura pitches the ball straight down the middle, but a throwback from Miyuki makes Sawamura remember it is a team game and not a one-on-one contest. Sawamura is able to trick Raichi and get him behind with some outside pitches into a 1-2 count. Finally Sawamura unleashes his 4-seam fastball to the inside and gets Raichi to pop out. As Seido comes to bat in the top of the fourth a double from the captain gives them a 5-1 lead. Seeing that they can't fall behind any more, Raizou calls for a pitches change and brings in Sanada.
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#20 - Calling for Attention
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 22
Seido shows Maimon West that they are underestimating anyone in the tournament. After being retired 1-2-3 in the top of the first, Seido manages to score 3 in the top of the second. Meanwhile Furuya continues to strike out batter after batter with his high fastball. Seido goes on to continue punishing Maimon West, gaining a 15-0 lead.
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#21 - A Clash
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 5
Coach Katoka, or Shades as Onoda calls him, organizes a game between the first years and the non-starters on the second and third year teams. The goal is to determine who will join the starters for upcoming practice games. When Onoda comes across Katoka in the bath, the coach gives him one final chance to answer his question. After the answer is given, Onoda is allowed into the upcoming game, but when he starts as an outfielder, it could spell doom for any chance he has on the varsity team.
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#22 - Head to Head
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 6
Thanks to the words of fellow first year Haruichi Kominato, Eijun makes it on base. Next Haruichi promises to bring him home and get the first years a run. Haruichi proves to be a brilliant batter, and thanks to his spring Eijun scores. However the first years quickly get three outs, and Coach Katoka says he will call it a game unless all the first years agree to continue. Most want to drop out, but thanks to words of encouragement from Eijun they decide to continue. Eijun is placed on the mound, and Hariuchi is placed at shortstop. The two seem to be wroking effectively together against the older students until Eijun's roommate comes to the plate. Can Eijun find a way to strike out his roommate, who is the #4 hitter for the JV team?
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#23 - Where You Look
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 11
It's the quarterfinals of the spring tournament and Seido is playing Kasuga First High. In the bottom of the third inning, Haruichi Kominato gets a timely hit to give Seido the lead and bring the cleanup Miyuki up to bat. Can Miyuki take the pressure of starting pitcher Sawamura? The fifth inning sees a big chance for Kasuga First. Can Sawamura see the game through? Meanwhile, the effect of Koshien Stadium on Furuya has become apparent, making him more focused on being the ace. What is it he sees, looking forward?
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#24 - Expectations of an Ace
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 39
Tanba takes to the mound. After two fastballs Tanba has an 0-2 count lead. Miyuki calls for a curveball, but the curve proves to be low and inside, coming close to a past ball. Miyuki makes a dramatic save, keeping the one-run lead for Seido. Seeing that Tanba had the pitch, even though he didn't have the control, Miyuki calls for another curve and gets Sanada to strike out. In the top half of the ninth Seido manages to score two runs, going up 8-5. After Furuya grounds into a double play, Kataoka decides to gamble. Furuya is pulled from the game. Tanba is left to face the bottom of the order with a 3-run lead. If even one runner gets on board though, Tanba will have to face off with Raichi. Will Tanba manage to hold on? This episode covers chapters 113 to 115.
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#25 - Inheritance
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 73
Yuki learns of Kataoka's pending resignation and shares the news with the third years. The third years come up with a plan that could change Kataoka's mind if it's executed correctly. As Kataoka puts the team through the newest version of hell week Maezono gives words of wisdom to the players who are slacking. Miyuki is impressed with how dependable Maezono has become and wonders why Coach Kataoka seems to be keeping a secret.
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#26 - Pitching of Despair
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 46
The pitching duel between Nagao Akira and Narumiya Mei continues with neither team able to consistently get on base. Akira begins to lose his calm when Inashiro's batters begin to figure out his knuckle ball. Unfortunately it's right as Inashiro's cleanup batter, Harada, arrives. A home run gives Inashiro the lead, leading to an 8 run fourth inning, and Mei continues to strike out the side as Inashiro easily advances to the finals with a called game 11-0 after 5. This episode covers chapters 137 through 139.
#27 - Dark Horse
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 31
After winning their match, Seido stays behind to watch Manaka's pitching in hopes of gaining a slight advantage in the quarterfinal game. Tanba remembers his past ties with Manaka and swears to return in that quarterfinal match. However Yakusi has made many changes to their lineup, including three first years in the 3, 4, and 5 spots. When the first of these first years arrives, Raichi Todoroki, he nails Manaka's best fastball out of the stadium to give his team the early 1-0 lead. Ichidai is forced to make an early pitching change, with Manaka moving to the outfield, and the game becomes a slugging contest. As inning 5 approaches, Manaka demands to return to the mound so his team can move on to the quarterfinals. Ichidai gives in, and Manaka returns with better control than before.
#28 - I Don't Want to Lose
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 52
Mei battles Yuuki one-one-one. Then it's time for Furuya to shine. Furuya throws his own team for a loop when he thanks them for helping him be successful. He then proceeds to strike out the side. Miyuki and Mei go head-to-head, and Mei gives Miyuki exactly what he wants in a change-up, but with no one on it turns into an easy out. Furuya comes out for the second and strikes out the clean-up and #6 batters, though Mei manages to pop out to third instead of striking out. With Furuya throwing with more control and speed than ever, Inashiro realizes they will have to change something up to be successful. It's the end of two, and Seidou leads 1-0.
#29 - Scenario
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 8
Maezono Kenta faces off with Teito and Mukai's 3D strike zone. When he is able to make contact with a couple of outside pitches, Teito decides to try and confuse him by changing it up with n inside pitch. Kenta manages to hit a double, scoring three runs for Seido. All the scouts are shocked to see it is Kenta who gets the hit that seems to turn the game around. For the ninth inning Sawamura is subbed out and Kawakami is brought in. Kawakami gives up a couple of unexpected timely hits, but some calm words from Miyuki changes his pace and determines the final outcome of the game. As the game ends the sun breaks out on to the field, signifying it approves of whom has won and advanced. After the game Ochiai Hiromitsu questions Kataoka on why he made some of the moves he did during the game. He realizes Katoka's coaching style if slowly evolving him and realizes if he doesn't start giving input now, Kataoka may very well not be leaving the team's head coach position.
#30 - King
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 7
A third-round game at the Tokyo spring tournament is attracting a lot of interest. Inashiro Industrial, the runner-up team from last year's summer tournament with this generation's best southpaw, Mei Narumiya, is facing Yakushi, a quarterfinal finisher from the spring invitational. How have they grown after their winter training and experience in the invitational? Has Narumiya recovered after his disappointing run in the fall? This heavily watched game is about to get under way!
#31 - Target
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 12
Chris has Miyuki join him and Sawamura in the bullpen as they try to master Sawamura's new pitching form and get him to start throwing strikes with it. Chris's father Animal shows up at the game and tries to get Chris to stop playing, believing his shoulder isn't yet healed and that he will only cause further damage to himself. In order to stop Seido's momentum, Naoyuki Zaizen suggests they change the target from trying to destroy Sawamura to trying to destroy Chris. This episode covers chapters 30 to 33.
#32 - School Academic Level
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 23
Ouya High scores two runs at the bottom of the first and seems to have Seidou all figured out. Sawamura however, does a good job keeping Ouya to two runs. On top of the sixth and thanks to Nabe's scouting talent, Seidou have a plan to use against Ouya.
#33 - Revenge
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 43
Haruchi replaces Tanba in the batting lineup with the bases loaded in a 1-1 game in the top of the sixth. Haruchi falls behind 0-2, but Hino gets greedy and throws a curve ball which Haruchi smacks into left center field for a 3 RBI double, giving Seido a 4-1 lead. Sawamura replaces Tanba as the pitcher and walks the leadoff batter. A quick short field hit gets over Ryousan's head, giving Sensen two runners on. Seido sacrifices a run, making it 4-2, to get the first out, but now Hino comes to the plate with runners and second and third and only one out. After a quirky relay message is sent to Sawamura, all the players relax and Sawamura vows he will never let Miyuki say some words to him again that were shared after the last game. This episode will covers the second half of chapter 127 and go through the first half of 131.
#34 - Shut Him Down!!
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 17
After Seidou's failed attempt for a double play, the team is in a pinch with bases loaded and no outs. Yet Seidou decides to face Ugumori's momentum head on. Ugumori however, doesn't back down and manage to scale down Seidou's lead to one. Kataoka decides to leave the eighth inning to Furuya, then have Sawamura pitch in the ninth.
#35 - Demon Child
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 29
The intra-squad game continues. Kataoka's former coach, Sakaki Eijirou arrives and observes the team. He joins Haruno and Club President Oota in the staff room and tells the story of Kataoka when he was just 15 years old and was then called "Demon Child".
#36 - One Pitch
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 38
Amahisa strikes out Raichi but Sanada changes the flow of the game. Amahisa is switched out and despite Ichidaisan's efforts, they lose to Yakushi High for the second time.
#37 - On My Shoulders
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 14
The third round of the fall tournament begin. There is an air of tension in Seidou's dugout after the fallout between Miyuki and Maezono the night before. Miyuki however, is quick to remind the team to focus on beating the opponent and they agree. At game time, Furuya recalls what Umemiya had told him in the washroom just before their match, and disobeys Miyuki's lead.
#38 - Emergency
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 20
The second half of the Seido, Shuuhoku match begins with Tanba unveiling his fork ball. Combined with his fastball and his curve ball Seido seems to have a new found sense of confidence. As Tanba comes to bat however, Shuuhoku's pitcher loses control of one pitch and forces an emergency cancellation of the game and leads to something that could ruin Seido's season. As the players are feeling depressed, the summer tournament bracket is revealed. In order to play Inashiro Industrial, Seido will have to make it to the Tokyo Final. Sawamura is told to get better with his control and also told he'll debut when the time is right. Additional training is given to Sawamura and Furuya while some of the seniors are forced to start pitching training to help motivate them and prepare them should 3 pitchers not be enough.
#39 - Miracle Akikawa
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 26
In the top of the first, Shunshin Yeung comes to the plate and forces Furuya to throw a meat ball which he nails to left, giving Akikawa a 2-0 lead early on. With the lead Yeung heads to the mound and is able to start his precision throwing. Yeung comes up with a plan that he believes will destroy Seido if it is executed to perfection, but it requires getting one more run off of Furuya.
#40 - The Resolve for Responsibility
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 32
Seidou successfully prevents Seiko from scoring on top of the fourth with a double play. Furuya's injury however seem to be hurting which Kudo notices. Kataoka wants to switch him out but Furuya is determined to continue pitching.
#41 - In the Sun
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 65
Seido begins practice games to get their new roster made before the spring tournament. Inashiro shuts down their opposition and reaches the Koshien finals, only having given up runs to Seido. The upperclassmen try to ignore what is going on with Inashiro to avoid getting more depressed.
#42 - Challenge
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 16
The practice game between Seido and Osaka Kiryu begins with Furuya determined not to give up any hits after remembering the coaches words, "go get obliterated today." The first batter nails his fastball deep to the outfield. A bases loaded walk gives Kiryu a 3-0 lead and prompts a visit to the mound by Miyuki. The visit reminds Furuya to trust in the fielders around him. Furuya begins to intentionally give up hits so his outfielders can cover for his current weakness.
#43 - Wanna Take The Mound
Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 2
In the second round of the invitational, Seido faces Nihon Shono. After throwing a 150 km/h pitches to shut down batters in the first round, Furuya has become the darling of the press and the fans. Which team will advance to the quarterfinals? What about the other team from Tokyo, Yakushi led by Todoroki Raichi? And what of the summer tournament winners, Komadai Fujimaki? The quarterfinals are taking shape.
#44 - The Underdog Story
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 11
Sawamura regains the use of his inside pitch to stun Nanamori. Nanamori is forced to leave the bases loaded in the first inning. Afterwards Seido's batters continue to dominate the plate, and Sawamura refuses to let anyone on base. Seido ends with a called 11-0 game in 5 innings. After the game Miyuki comes up to Sawamura and announces he can finally contend for the ace spot. Over at another stadium Hisashi Watanabe watches the Inashiro game against Ugumori and is stunned to see Inashiro has only scored 1 run. Umemiya's aggressive yet reckless plays seems to spark Ugumori as the game goes on, despite him being picked off at the plate on what would be the tying run. As Inashiro reaches the seventh with a batter of second Umemiya, who has pitched nothing but a slow curve, is forced to unveil his power curve, which the opposition thinks is a slider. The pitch stuns Inashiro and forces a quick 3-outs. The two teams head into the eighth with the score 1-0 and the winner getting Seido in the next round.
#45 - The Conceited Underclassman
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 26
Following Seidou's win against Ouya, Seiko Academy wins against Sensen Academy. Meanwhile, Inashiro Industrial have a scrimmage against Kokaidai Sagara.
#46 - Cold Rain
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 5
Seido and Teito begin playing in the rain. Every time Seido goes out to field the rain seems to pick up. Making things harder is Teito's pitcher is using his 3D strike zone to its fullest, keeping Seido from getting on base. As things pick up in the sixth the rain gets heavier. Furuya gets in the zone and throws his best pitches of the day. Everyone thinks Furuya will be unbeatable, but as the top of the sixth ends a pause is called for, ruining all of Furuya's focus.
#47 - The Ace Title
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 68
Yakushi and Seido battle again, this time in a practice game. Furuya strikes Raichi out to hold Yakushi scoreless. Sawamura gets impatient and asks permission from Kataoka to pitch, but Kataoka declines, calling Sawamura a relief pitcher and admitting that this game will determine whom the teams ace will be for the spring.
#48 - Under the Sky in September
Ace of Diamond - Season 1 - Episode 71
Instead of letting Sawamura pitch with the ball, Katoka sends him out to another field to focus on running during their practices. Sawamura continues to act like a zombie and a hindrance to the team. Miyuki, Haruichi, and many of Sawamura's friends from the team have the faith that he will return, but instead of trying to figure out how they can help him they focus on strengthening their own chances of being on the spring tourney roster.
#49 - With Heads Held High
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 20
With Miyuki and Maezono still at odds, Isashiki talks to Maezono while Miyuki seeks Yuuki's advice. Kataoka informs the team of Furuya's condition and Sawamura feels the fate of the team is now in his hands. During practice, Nabe tells Maezono that he is satisfied with how things are, while Ochiai observes the players then thinks of his future coaching plans.
#50 - Champion of Midsummer
Ace of Diamond - Season 2 - Episode 3
Monthly Baseball Kingdom finishes their recap of the Summer Tournament by finishing the review on the Seido, Inashiro regional championship game. The recap covers all of Eijun's pitches right up until Inashiro gets the game-winning hit off of Kawakami.