◆2025 Persol Climax Series Pacific Final Stage Game 2 Softbank 3-0 Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Home Run The hit was Yuki Yanagita outfielder the 10th of his CS career, tying him with alumnus Seiichi Uchikawa for the most in the history of the series. The team's oldest player, who had been out for an extended period of time from mid-April to late September with a bone bruise in his right hip, hit a shot that put them on the verge of advancing to the Japan Series.

Below are the main questions and answers from Yanagi after the match:

- unable to hide his excitement

"It's brutal. I'm super tired right now. The adrenaline is really pumping and I'm exhausted. I've never felt this much before, especially during my rehabilitation in Chikugo. It's a really good kind of fatigue."

Q: How do you feel about returning to the team and fighting in this short-term battle?

"There were a lot of people in Chikugo who supported me. I'm staying here with the desire to achieve results for those people."

-Looking back on rehabilitation

"It's a bit strange to say that the injury can't be helped, but it happened. The question is what to do from there. I thought, 'Maybe I'll be able to play at the end.' I just focused on putting in a good performance when I returned. But even so, it's not just my own strength that has allowed me to play in matches like this, it's also thanks to the people around me. I try to play as if I'm representing the team."

-Home Home Run hitting left field have become more common.

"Yes, I'm practicing. I'm making adjustments and trying out different things. I think my swing is better than it was in Chikugo."

- I got a feel for it during the match.

"Through matches and practice. I'm not completely satisfied, though. I feel like things are gradually starting to take shape."

-When it flies to the left, it's in good condition.

"I used to play a lot when I was younger. It brings back memories."

- I wasn't able to train my lower body this season.

"No, I was able to do it. I was injured last year and again this year. But I was training hard, so I think my physical condition has improved a little."

- His 10 Home Run in the CS tied with Uchikawa.

"I was conscious of it. I met Uchikawa (who threw the first pitch on the 15th) and we talked about it. Next time I'd like to surpass Uchikawa. But I'm glad I did it at a good moment."

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・ [Scoreboard] Softbank vs. Nippon-Ham
​[Pacific League CS] Softbank Yuki Yanagita, who hit the winning three-run home run, had a surprising comment in his first hero interview in a long time: "Nice to meet you, I'm Yanagida!"
​[Pacific League CS] Kenta Uehara gives up a painful final hit to Yanagita: "I didn't want to waste it."
・ [Pacific League CS] Yuki Yanagita puts Softbank in the lead! His 10th home run, tying the all-time record, is a game-winning three-run shot from 0-0 in the 8th inning!
​[Pacific League CS] Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo on the game-winning three-run homer Yuki Yanagita: "The one who hits there is a superstar."