: The protagonist, who reaches his lowest point as he realizes he can no longer throw his signature inside pitches.
: The catcher, who recognizes Sawamura's psychological trauma and discusses the path forward with the coach.
In of Diamond no Ace (titled "Next Stage"), the story focuses on the emotional and physical aftermath of the Summer Finals, where Eijun Sawamura hits a psychological breaking point . The Core Story: Facing the "Yips" Diamond no Ace Episode 70
: 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.
: During a game, Sawamura struggles immensely, conceding three runs without recording a single out. His usually aggressive inside pitches are wide and erratic. : The protagonist, who reaches his lowest point
This episode serves as the transition from the "Summer of Heartbreak" to the beginning of Sawamura’s long road to recovery.
: While Furuya excels, Sawamura sits in the dugout "like a corpse," haunted by memories of the summer final. The Core Story: Facing the "Yips" : Coach
: His rival, who steps up as the primary force on the mound, highlighting the widening gap between them.