: Though largely in a mentorship role now, his presence remains vital as fans anticipate him helping Sawamura rebuild from this slump.
: While Furuya excels, Sawamura sits in the dugout "like a corpse," haunted by memories of the summer final.
: Coach Kataoka notices Sawamura's distress and pulls him from the game. Furuya takes the mound, bluntly telling Sawamura that there is "no need for two pitchers on the mound," further deepening Eijun's sense of failure. Diamond no Ace Episode 70
: His rival, who steps up as the primary force on the mound, highlighting the widening gap between them.
This episode serves as the transition from the "Summer of Heartbreak" to the beginning of Sawamura’s long road to recovery. : Though largely in a mentorship role now,
Following the crushing loss to Inashiro Industrial, the team begins preparing for the Fall Tournament. However, Sawamura is deeply scarred by the "deadball" (hit-by-pitch) he threw during the finals.
: The catcher, who recognizes Sawamura's psychological trauma and discusses the path forward with the coach. Furuya takes the mound, bluntly telling Sawamura that
: Miyuki explains to the coach that Sawamura’s fear of hitting batters again has compromised his pitching form, a condition often referred to as the "yips". Key Characters in Episode 70