Ep. 16: Daimon confirms job security while Ko dominates the game with strategic pitching

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Prior to the scrimmage, Daimon assures Azuma that Shido will not terminate his employment regardless of the varsity team's performance, a claim Shido verifies. The school chairman, Tubby’s grandfather, subsequently ratifies the wager with Maeno. Ko loads the bases in the first two innings before striking out three batters, with Akaishi urging him to pitch as if the game were late. The score remains zero until the sixth inning. Azuma reveals to Daimon that Ko pitched easily for six innings to provide fielding practice against top prefectural teams. In the seventh, Aoba scores via Senda’s sacrifice fly. Azuma later notes Ko is the best pitcher faced all year as Ko strikes out the final three batters. Aoba informs Wakaba of Ko’s achievement as the prefab team celebrates.