As the team work on their strategy, designed to reduce the time the pitcher spends on the field and encourage defense, Minami learns Yuki is due to undergo surgery on the day of the exhibition match. It is revealed that Minami used to love baseball when she was little, but as she grew older, her hopes of becoming a professional baseball player were dashed. The exhibition match goes underway, with the team implimenting their new strategy to only aim for strikes. Whilst the match appears one-sided, the team notices their improvement as the game goes on. After managing to improve on defense, they start to impliment their no bunt strategy on offense which takes the other team by surprise. Despite losing the game, the team feels proud

加地が提案した高校野球に対するイノベーション『ノーバント・ノーボール作戦』を実戦で試すために、二階が組んだ練習試合。それは大胆にも甲子園大会を経験している大学生との試合だった。そのことを夕紀に報告しに行くみなみ。夕紀は喜びつつも、先延ばしになっていた手術を受けなければならないとみなみに告げる。支えとなっていた夕紀のためにも新たな気持ちで甲子園を目指すみなみ。そして大学生との練習試合が始まるが……。