The Hornets begin a two game series against the Anaheim Salmons. Goro decides to go out and say hi to the team that first got him started, but all of them ignore him and tell him to get back to his side of the field, making his temper start to soar. Meanwhile the lead off batter Sakaguchi decides to do the same thing to his biggest rival, Nelson. The Hornets are able to get an early lead off of Sanchez, but Fox comes up with a brilliant plan that starts to shut down the Hornets offense. The Salmons then begin to get to Goro due to tiring him out early on. Despite the four game winning streak, a major weak spot is revealed on the Hornets, their attitudes. Is there anything that can be done to improve themselves, or are there playoff chances gone like a hanging thread that has been cut?

Shizuka advises Goro to quit the team based on an incident from her past. When he learns what happened, he takes his appeal straight to the top.

In Goro's second year at Kaido, Momoko gives birth to a girl. With his send-off game against the first team at hand, Goro tells Shigeno his decision.

Alice convinces Goro to serve as the Bats' closer. In Japan, the number one draft pick Toshiya Sato draws attention in the Warriors' game.

Coach Suo declares Goro will pass the test only if he can retire the opposing lineup in order, but Goro has come further than anyone imagined.

Under Shigeno's coaching, the team begins training in earnest with the goal of winning a preliminary game by spring. A new guy shows up at practice.

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

Toshiya's confidence suffers an unexpected blow during the game, but his coach still decides to start him in the exhibition match.

Shimizu is glad to see Goro has returned to his oldself and is determined to save up money again to go and root for him in America. However she seems to be losing love for softball at the same time and contemplates quitting it all together. Can Taiga help her remember why she loves the game with the help from a few other friends?

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 team is excited to play Yoka High in the first round of the tournament. Looking healthy, Goro throws a perfect fastball in practice.

Goro and the Bats hit a rough patch, so his teammates invite him on a drive to cheer him up. Shimizu's friends try jump-starting her love life.

Goro moves back to Mifune. Komori is glad to have the chance to play baseball with him again, only for Goro to reveal he now plays soccer.

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 game with Kuriyama High nears its end. Karasawa hits a two-run homer to take the lead and Katori corners Seishu with two outs in the ninth inning.

Goro is adapting to life in America. Meanwhile in Japan, the Seishu High graduates reflect on their time spent with Goro and take their next steps.

The summer high school baseball tournament has begun. Now captain of Seishu High, Taiga is annoyed by the behavior of his team during training.

Goro returns to Japan after winning the Minor Leagues, and the first place he visits is his Father's grave. Shimizu has heard Goro has returned and decides to visit him to see if she has any feelings for him.

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?

Goro becomes a batting pitcher for the Japanese Senior team to help further his development against Professional players, but he also hopes that he can gain enough respect on the mound to become a player for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic. At home Taiga and Goro work with each other to improve his outside pitching control and his fastball's speed. The problem is he forgets to tell Shimizu about all of it, but her dream of following the baseball player keeps her from getting too upset about it.

Shimizu travels to Florida alone to support Goro as he tries to make the majors. On her way to meet him, however, her rental car breaks down.

After doing well in the Minors Goro is recalled to the Hornets, but before going he stops by Dr. Oliver's to ask if he's really cured. While there he reveals he is just playing baseball because he loves the game, but Dr. Oliver asks him if that's any different than playing backyard baseball. He says without a goal none of the players he knows have ever succeeded, and unless Goro finds a goal to replace Gibson he will never be able to succeed in the Majors. Meanwhile Gibson Jr. is having problems of his own for the Raiders. He's batting less than .300 and only has 3 home runs. Can these two rivals overcome there problems and prove they have what it takes to be Pros?

Both Goro and Gibson Jr. decide to settle things by doing their best to get outs and get on base in the Pros. Goro also learns Shigeno is now doing the Japanese commentary for the Hornets games, however his entire attitude toward calm pitching might change when Gibson comes out of retirement and signs on to play with the Bisons so he can face Goro one-on-one.

The media world is going crazy thanks to Gibson's return, but Gibson's first match is scheduled to be against none other than the Indiana Hornets. Can Goro find that goal he's been looking for and get back to his old self thanks to Gibson's arrival, or will his appearance go down as another disappointment?

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?