Before the next match, the Nishiura Nine go to watch the game of their next opponent. There they discover Sakitama High's cleanup hitter, Daichi Sakura.

Nishiura High's next opponent, Sakitama High, has an incredibly strong batter. If Nishiura wants any chance of winning, Nishiura will need a quick shutout win!

Hanai is the cleanup batter for Nishiura in the third match, and is struggling to get out from behind Tajima's shadow. Hanai questions whether or not he's a dependable player.

Abe's strategy to walk Sakitama's cleanup hitter is working. While Sakitama can't score a run, their third-year Oyama dwells on the end of his baseball career.

After one of many misunderstandings, Mihashi comes to realize that he's an important baseball player of Nishiura High.

Nishiura's third game against Kounan begins. Bijyou High's coaches observe the game, and conclude that Abe, the catcher is deciding all of Mihashi's pitches.

The game against Bijyou Dai Sayama High has begun, and Mihashi questions why Bijyou's batters only seem to swing on pitches that are the opposite of what they like to hit.

It's 4-0, and Nishiura hasn't gotten a single run. After discovering that the courses were wrong and that Bijyou had scouted them, Abe is able to lead Mihashi to pitch two no-hit innings.

After scoring two runs, Bijyou High turns up the heat and sends out its reserve pitcher, Kashima. Kashima throws intense fast balls, but he's just warming up! Can Nishiura land a hit?

The unthinkable has happened! Abe is injured and can no longer participate in the match. Mihashi must step up to the pitcher's mound and discover some self-confidence.

It's the final inning and Nishiura is still behind in runs. Coming to terms with Abe's injury, Mihashi realizes that he was shoving all of his responsibilities onto Abe.

Accepting their defeat against Bijyou Dai Sayama High, Mihashi and the Nishiura Nine work to come up with a team goal. Mihashi receives an ambiguous text from Abe.