Short Summary[]
Over the phone, Tokuchi tells Tanabe that the individual titles have actually made it easier for the Lycaons to win. Before the second game, Thomas tells Brooklyn his hits don't look as sharp as usual.
Long Summary[]
There are reporters observing the two teams before their second game. Needing only one more win, they seem certain that the Mariners will secure a victory. At the Chiba Princess hotel, preparations for the Championship party are already taking place. One of the reporters asks Ideguchi, ‘Is there no way out of this?’ Ideguchi chuckles and says they are completely prepared to win the championship. He confidently declares they’ll win all their remaining games. The reporter seems shocked, having expected this previously ‘B-class’ team to be more flustered, and doesn't think it’s possible the Lycaons can win.
Chairman Tanabe watches the news report from his office. He seems assured of the Lycaons' loss. He has his assistant get Tokuchi on the phone so he can tell him some ‘words of farewell.’ Tokuchi answers and Tanabe tells him this is the day he leaves the Lycaons. Tokuchi laughs and asks him if he’s an idiot; the ones being cornered today are the Mariners. He tells Tanabe that he must be getting senile since his judgement’s so poor, which must be why he did something so ‘nonsensical’ as promising special awards for individuals. Despite Tanabe’s intentions, Tokuchi says the individual titles have made it easier for the Lycaons to play and he’s indebted to Tanabe. Tanabe is furious after the phone call but believes Tokuchi’s words are just a ‘final show of courage.’
Brooklyn, while practising his batting, hits a ball to the stands. He says he feels good today, but Thomas tells him he feels the hit was ‘not as crisp as usual.’ He assumes they must be tired from the numerous hits they got yesterday.
The second game starts. If the Mariners win today, the Championship is theirs. Big Mama tells Kinsosaki that in today’s game, the Mariners will realise how amazing Tokuchi really is. Confused, Kinosaki says he thought Tokuchi wasn’t playing today.
The Lycaons' starting pitcher is Takahashi, while Yoshida throws for the Mariners. Kinosaki glumly comments the Mariners are going all out today to decide the Championship. Kitaooji steps up to the plate first. He swings and gets a huge hit- but it’s a fly to the centre field that gets caught. Kinosaki predicts the Mariners will get a lot of hits today too but Takahashi looks confident. The next batter also gets a hit, but it travels to the short stop. Thomas hits and gets a fly to the left field that is also caught. Takahashi has got three consecutive outs in the first inning. Kinosaki is surprised how easily the Lycaons got through the first inning and Big Mama laughs. She says she told him already, they definitely won’t lose.
The game turns into a battle of the pitchers. Takahashi strikes out all the next inning’s batters as well. Takami is convinced there’s something strange going on. Brooklyn tells him to not be so impatient, they’ll get points the next inning. But by the time the seventh inning’s over, the score is still 0-0. The stalemate is finally broken by Kuruwaka. He hits a home run and the Lycaons get the first point.
Characters[]
- Tokuchi Toua
- Chairman Tanabe
- Ideguchi
- Brooklyn
- Thomas
- Takahashi
- Kuruwaka