Doors vs Beavers

## Tournament Infomation

**Doors vs Beavers** is a sandlot baseball game between the Doors and the Beavers. This game was shown briefly in a flashback in episode 2 of the anime, but shown more in the manga.

## Pre-game

Daiki Nakanishi discusses with Kou Kitamura about him (Kou) pitching in the upcoming game against the Beavers. Daiki says the game will go a lot faster with Kou pitching, since they are playing against a bunch of 4th graders so they can't do much damage. Kou was puzzled by that statement. Aoba Tsukishima is revealed to be the pitcher for the Beavers team of just a bunch of 4th graders. Kou says he saw that one coming. Wakaba comes to the game to root for her sister, but is surprised to see Kou there too. The Doors players are amazed by Aoba's pitching skills. Daiki isn't impressed, saying she's nothing compared to Osamu Akaishi's pitching.He looks to Kou to agree just to see that Kou has disappeared to the other team's dugout to start pitching sales for the Beavers, who don't have an official team uniform. Daiki stops his sales pitched with a cleat clad foot to the back of the head. It's time for the game to start.

## Game

Aoba effortless strikes out the first two batters. It's Kou's turn to bat. Wakaba cheers him on which doesn't amuse Aoba. First pitch, Kou doesn't swing, it's a strike. Second pitch, Kou does swing and hit but it's a foul ball. Third pitch hit in the back, resulting in a dead ball. Kou is walked to first. Bottom of the 3rd, neither team has scored.  The next play results in 3 outs with the Beavers failing to score. Kou is up to bat once again, and again hit in the back with one of the Aoba's pitches. The game is now at the bottom of the 4th and the game is still scoreless. Kou pitches and the batter is struck out. When Kou is walking back to his team's dugout, Aoba asks him if it was fun for Kou to pitch the way he does, Kou responds that he doesn't know what is fun about baseball in the first place. Daiki asks Kou if he's ready to start pitching a lot harder now and Kou doesn't feel that he needs to since the Beavers haven't scored one hit. Aoba strikes out one of the Doors players. Wakaba roots for her sister. Kou tells her if she's going to root for the other team, she should go to the other dugout. Wakaba refuses saying she's rooting for Kou as well. Hayashi, who is watching the game with Akaishi and Nawata, comments on Aoba's pitching, admitting that she's good. Three Door players are struck out then it's time to switch sides again. Aoba is at bat and bunts the ball. Against the advice of Daiki, Kou throws the ball to first, but Aoba makes it just in time. The runner on 3rd was able to make it to first. The Beavers score the first point in the game. Kou tries to throw the ball in frustration, but he is unable to and grabs his arm in pain. The announcer calls it a balk, though unintentional. The rain starts up and the game interrupted. The final score is Doors 0 and Beavers 1, that one point made possible by Aoba.

## Post game

Back at the Tsukishima Batting Center, Wakaba is watching Aoba in the batting cages. Wakaba tells Aoba that Kou was pretty frustrated that he lost to her, and that he can be surprisingly competitive. Aoba scoffs at the notion, saying that a guy who's never played catch before has no chance of winning against her. Wakaba tells Aoba not to underestimate Kou because if he puts his mind to it, he could end up being the best pitcher in Japan. He might even be able to one day throw a 160kmph pitch. Wakaba tells Aoba that when that happens, please don't take Kou away from her. That statement leaves Aoba speechless.

## Named Players in Match

* Catcher: Daiki Nakanishi
* Center Fielder: Tanaka