All bases loaded, Tajima’s impeccable coaching, Mizutani’s time to shine, intentional walk, Tajima vs Junta again, a caped Mihashi, the magic word: “third base runner”, and the serious side of Tajima in…

Ookiku Furikabutte 21 - One More Run 「もう一点」

• Hamada is after seeing a Suyama, the next batter, to the field.
• Kazuki analyzes Mihahi’s pitch. He peps his team to do well in the last two innings.
• Junta throws Suyama a really high ball. Suyama attributes this to the bad condition the mound is in.
• Suyama hits it high into midfield. Three fielders pursue the ball, but none of them catches it.
• With no outs, Suyama advances to first base.
• After the count goes 2-1, Momoe predicts that the sinker will come. She gives the sign to Tajima, however he is not looking.
• After seven pitches against Tajima, Riou cheers Junta on. The other Tosei players soon follow.
• Nishiura’s cheering squad obliges and starts chanting Tajima’s name.
• After the first sinker, Junta does a pickoff attempt. Then, Kazuki signs for another sinker again, which Junta greatly disklikes.
• Tajima strikes out on the last sinker. He shows his disappoint and wonders if his batting is not up to the high school baseball level.
• Tajima apologizes to Momoe for his performance at the plate, then goes off to coach at first base.
• Suyama steals second then third with Tajima’s help.
• Hanai gets a base on balls, resulting in first and third being loaded.
• The Tosei coach realizes that as soon as Tajima gets to coach, Nishiura starts to steal bases.
• Hanai steals second base with Junta’s pitch against Oki.
• The Tosei coach is starting to think that it is only Tajima who has figured out Junta’s motion.
• Tosei hands Oki an intentional walk. Now, the bases are loaded.
• Mizutani is up. Momoe tells him to hit the ball.
• A caped Mihashi tries to encourage Mizutani. However, the image of Ruri calling Mihashi “Ren-Ren” causes Mizutani to chuckle. Questions about Ruri and Mihashi fill Mizutani’s mind at the plate. Mizutani’s determination is renewed knowing that Mihashi will work hard till the very end. Thus, so must he.
• Mizutani swings and misses on the first pitch. Suyama tells him the magic words “third base runner” to put him in a relaxed state.
• Mizutani manages to hit the ball and it gets pass Shingo. Suyama scores, tying the game. Hanai attempts to squeeze another run, but is tagged out.
• Tajima tells Mihashi not to mind his strike out and tells himself not to mind his as well.
• Mihashi,Hanai, Izumi, and Sakaeguchi try to cheer Tajima, who is still down because of his last time at bat. Hanai tells him that the match is still not over and there’s still a chance for them to win.

Thoughts

I thought that in this episode, Tajima would finally be able to convert on his plate appearance. I wanted him to shine in this episode so badly, through his batting. Somehow, seeing Tajima failing against Junta was saddening (besides the fact that I am a big Tajima fangirl). He did redeem himself by helping the other Nishiura players in stealing bases. Emo Tajima is really not good for the show. Though, it does give Tajima more depth seeing him more serious and slightly depressed. Now, it is Mihashi’s turn to encourage Tajima.

I remember mentioning that Tajima and Mihashi have a good chemistry and I can easily picture them being best friends. These past few episodes, we see them often running together back to the dugout, chatting a bit as they do. Tajima and Mihashi are getting along very well. Someone asked about who will end up being Mihashi’s BFF (Best Friends Forever) before. My money goes to Tajima

Much pressure is on Tosei to score, since it is already second to the last inning. Yoshi! Onwards to the next episode! GO NISHIURA!!! \o/

Episode 22 – Defend! 「防げ！」