Ep. 22: Aoba Agrees to Pitch for Satomi Girls' School Against Oka University
Aired on August 30, 2009
22
Before the prefectural summer tournament, Aoba trains Ko in slider techniques. Midori invites Aoba to pitch for her high school team against national champions Oka University, but Aoba initially declines due to her commitment to Seishu. After overhearing teammates attribute her difficult pitches to gender bias, she recalls Wakaba’s encouragement to pitch at Koshien. Following Meano’s refusal to join Oka, Aoba watches their victory over a boys' team and agrees to play for Satomi Girls' School. Although captain Matsuyama denies her starting pitcher role, Aoba enters the game as a substitute center fielder after an injury. Her successful defensive play earns her teammates' acceptance, though Oka leads 3 to 0 at the end of the first inning.
Episodes
- Ep. 18 · Aoba declines an audition while Risa trains with Midori and improves her pitching skills.
- Ep. 19 · Ko visits grandparents in a snowstorm and discovers Mizuki, Wakaba's son, moving in with the Tsukishimas.
- Ep. 20 · Aoba and Mizuki begin their Seishu High School life with baseball and romantic confusion.
- Ep. 21 · Rumors of Mizuki and Aoba spread while Seishu plays its first game.
- Ep. 22 · Aoba Agrees to Pitch for Satomi Girls' School Against Oka University
- Ep. 23 · Aoba pitches for Satomi against Oka, leading to a narrow loss and national team consideration.
- Ep. 24 · Ko scouts Ryuo Academy and supports Aoba on Wakaba's seventeenth birthday
- Ep. 25 · Ryuo's coach apologizes for benching Mishima while Seishu prepares for Sanno
- Ep. 26 · Ko's rare pitching and Aoba's childhood dreams shape the post-game aftermath.