Goro is captivated by Joe Gibson, a major league player now playing in Japan. When Shigeharu homers off of him, Goro is beside himself with delight.

Gibson, now back in MLB, invites Goro to see him play in San Francisco. Though put off at first, Goro wants to see top-level baseball, so he accepts.

Mifune is on the ropes; Goro suddenly gives up a home run, and they can't hit Kyuta's pitch. To make matters worse, Komori sprains his wrist.

Sawamura's desperation bunt gets him on base, breaks up Kyuta's perfect game, and rattles the ace. Mifune then closes the gap to one run.

The delinquents have left the baseball team, but none of the former members return. Goro's words inspire Komori and Obayashi to recruit new members.

Goro joins the baseball team. To gear up for the summer tournament, he seeks a game against Tomonoura Junior High, where he meets his old pal Toshiya.

Goro, Toshiya and Komori all pass the first two stages of Kaido High's harsh skills test, but Toshiya and Komori are then pitted against each other.

The skills test ends with a five-on-five tournament. Goro is happy to be on Toshiya's team, but is looked down upon for coming from an obscure school.

The first-year scholarship team intentionally spots the Dream Island team a three-run lead. The insult fills Goro's team with renewed determination.

Seishu plays a practice match against Kaido's reserve team. They struggle with the opposing pitcher and fall behind thanks to some poor fielding.

The doctor tells Goro that his career is in jeopardy if he keeps playing hurt. Goro appears to take his advice but secretly looks for other options.

Scouting the competition, Goro is taken aback by the improvement of their next opponent, Kuriyama High. Later, he runs into Katori before the game.

Goro gives up his first hit during the bottom of a rainy third inning. He quickly makes up for his error by using a trick play to eliminate Kusano.

After realizing how much he needs to improve,Goro gets off to a strong start pitching in his first major league exhibition game.

The Bats rise to second in the division. Now playing baseball in college, Komori serves as a substitute coach for a Little League team.

The first game of the finals begins. Driven by their bet, Goro and Gibson Jr. both give it their all. The Bats fall behind in the first inning.

The final game goes to extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Goro and Gibson Jr. have one last showdown to decide the champion.

After learning about his Father's involvement in the World Baseball Classic, Goro forgot about his date with Shimizu. When she called to see where he was he asks her to go on without him, causing her to believe Taiga's words are coming true. When Goro finally realizes he has hurt Shimizu's feelings he begins to think about everything she has done for him over the years. Even when he tries to think of baseball his thoughts wander back to her. Can Goro mend this broken love before it's too late, or will he lose Shimizu?

Realizing that his forkball breaks too early Goro decides to try and expose the weaknesses the All Japan team has and relys solely on his fastball. At first glance it seems to backfire as the Young Japan team falls even further behind at 9-0. Making things worse is the communication between Goro and Toshi is struggling, but once the two sync back up they show all of Japan how dangerous his fastballs can be. At the end of the episode Goro returns to America to begin spring training with the Hornets.

Goro's first face off as a member of the Japanese Representatives is against none other than Silva. Their interaction at the airport was only the beginning as a new rivalry is born from, but in order for Goro to be successful he must first pull Toshi out of the slump he has gotten stuck into and debut his gyrofork in front of a worldwide audience.

After gaining an early 1-0 lead Japan has been unable to stop the Dominicans batters the third time through the rotation. Despite getting the first man he faced out Mayumura now finds himself in danger of giving up additional runs and the Dominican leads 4-1. Who will realize the only way to defeat the Dominican is through small ball instead of swinging for the stands first, and what will Japan do when the Dominican's bring out their closer to try and wrap things up and eliminate Japan after Venezuela has won 3-0? Also the identity of the mysterious Japanese girl Shimizu ran into comes one step closer to a shocking revelation.

Gibson comes on in the eighth with only one out and the US trailing 2-0. He is disgusted by how the US has played without caring what their fans think of their performance. His speech wakes the minds and attitudes of the other players, and they escape the inning without giving up any other scores. In the top of the ninth Gibson Junior begins the inning with a base hit. America scores 6 runs and wins 6-2. After the game Gibson is told he won't pitch in the finals due to his heart condition. The next day Goro spends time with Shingo. They go and spend the day at the amusement park. Shingo asks Goro if their mom told him he plans to quit baseball. Goro tells him he doesn't mind if Shingo quits baseball, that he just needs to have fun doing whatever he chooses and become a better person. As Goro drops Shingo back off at his room though, he receives the news that Gibson collapsed during practice and has been rushed to the hospital.

Gibson insists on taking the mound when America falls in danger of losing to Venezuela. Aware of his condition, America's coach is hesitant to oblige.

Japan refuses to give up. In the top of the ninth they tie the score and send teh game into extra innings. Not wanting to lose momentum again Gibson takes it upon himself to get warmed up and force his way into the game.

The tournament reaches its epic conclusion. After the game, Goro visits the hospital to check on Gibson's status, and Toshiya reunites with Miho.

Goro is scheduled to start the third game of the season for the Indiana Hornets. As he begins to pitch he gets through the first 21 batters in a no hit fashion, and everyone begins to wonder if this super rookie can make baseball history- a perfect game in his first start.

Goro is placed in rehab games after a week of treatment. Just as it appears he is about to return to the Majors the Sharks are revealed to have Silva on a rehab assignment. Silva claims to be getting more used to Goro's pitching, but while watching Keene also reveals Goro's hat isn't flying off, and Goro has stated before that the hat flying off makes him know he is pitching well. Meanwhile Dr. Oliver reveals that he can't figure out what is giving Goro the yips because of all the trials he has overcome in the past.

The Hornets are nearly into first place, but the injury bug is beginning to hit the team making their goal seem further away than ever. Can Goro's burning spirit help the others to rally to continue their dream of winning the championship?

The words of Kenne have inspired the Hornets. They are now determined to win the championship at all costs. With the winning ways restored the Hornets are getting new sponsors, some of which want Shigeno to be the star of their commercial. Goro can't stand the idea and says no, but with a boss that wants him in them at all costs and with a woman who want stop pursuing him Goro may not have any choice but to give in to the sponsorship.

Due to Watt's injury the Hornets make some pitching changes. Goro is made the closer and Watts is moved to the bullpen. The hornets manage to take 2 from the Coyotes and tie the division lead, but Goro begins to have numbness occur in his hand and gets it looked into. He learns he has poor circulation that could affect his entire pitching career if he doesn't have surgery to fix it. Goro decides to hide it from the Hornets, but what will be the end result? Meanwhile both Chicago and the Texas Raiders qulify for the playoffs in the West, meaning Goro's two biggest rivals could be awaiting him in the World Series if things go right.

Keene's two run homer has tied the game 8-8. Thanks to Boston winning the wild card only the winner of Minnesota/ Indiana will advance. With extra innings looming Goro decides to risk his health to do all he can to help the Hornets advance to the playoffs, but exactly how long will he be able to endure the low blood circulation before the pain sets in?