Ep. 23: Aoba pitches for Satomi against Oka, leading to a narrow loss and national team consideration.

23

Satomi pitcher Kojima switches positions with Aoba after surrendering a fourth run in the second inning. Aoba’s 80 mph fastball surprises Oka players and strikes out their top batter, Ozaki, irritating Oka’s pitcher, Sawaguchi. In the fourth inning, Aoba drives in two runners with a double. After Ozaki deciphers Matsuyama’s signals to score a fifth run, Aoba takes over as catcher. In the sixth inning, an error by Sawaguchi allows Aoba to score, followed by a second run for Satomi. In the final inning, Aoba is caught out by Ozaki with two outs and runners on first and second. Oka wins 5 to 4. Post-game, Oka’s coach invites Aoba to try out for the women’s national team in the spring, while Satomi’s captain thanks her. Back at Seishu practice, Aoba strikes out players who avoided hitting her, and Akaishi notes they still need her.