Major

Ace Absence (3x9)

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Goro is in the hospital with an Achilles tear, but he vows to Egashira that he'll be back before the summer tournament. Nakumura and Shimizu have a brief squabble over Goro at the hospital where Shimizu prevails and Nakumura is able to provide the voice of friendship of someone who went through a similar procedure when he lost the ability to compete in track and field. After thinking about quitting, Taiga becomes the new pitcher, working on a fastball and a curve ball, and a track member, Hattori, joins as the new shortstop. After being dispatched Goro works on strengthening his lower body to get back in form. Meanwhile Shigeno meets secretly with Yamada and tells him of Goro's plan, but he begs Yamada to not let Goro into any of the games no matter how well he seems.