◆2025 Persol Climax Series Pacific Final Stage Game 6 Softbank 2-1 Nippon-Ham (20th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
Softbank The team won Game 6 of the final stage (S) of the "2025 PERSOL Climax Series Pa" to advance to the Japan Series for the second consecutive year with four wins (including one advantage) and three losses, and for the 22nd time all-time in Pa, surpassing Seibu. After winning two straight games to take the championship, the team lost three straight starting from Game 3. The team was tied, but Liván Moinelo pitcher (29), who started four days after Game 1, won the MVP award in the seventh inning runs with a one-run lead Akira Kawase infielder (28) on the winning shot. Hanshin Tigers, which opens on April 25 at Mizuho Peipay, is aiming for its 12th Japan Series title in five years in the summit game.
They managed to escape a thrilling one-point deficit. Softbank manager Kokubo's eyes were moist. "After three straight losses... it was tough," he said, his voice trembling. This was the fourth game since they were one step away from advancing to the CS. Before the game, he called out to his players, "If you have even 1% or 2% of anxiety, doubt or hesitation, erase it. Believe in yourself 100%," bringing out the true potential of the champions.
Kawase, who was selected to start as the second batter and starting line-up for the first time in three games, accomplished a great feat. With the score tied in the fifth inning bases loaded with two outs, he said, "I was determined to make the most of this opportunity," hitting a game-winning hit to right field. The day before, the super sub watched a video of himself playing well before going to bed, and swung the bat just as he imagined it.
It is in difficult times that he shows his power. The team's commander praised Kawase's walk-off hit against Lotte on May 2 as "a key point" at the press conference when the team won the league championship. bases loaded With two outs in the ninth inning, Kawase turned the tide walk-off with a substitute hit doble for two runs. The team was in last place with a debt of 7, the most this season, but they turned the tide by halting their losing streak at 5. In the first game of the final stage of last season's CS, he also played good defense to prevent pinch points and set the tone for a quick three-game winning streak. In the first game of the final stage of last season's CS, the team made a good defensive move to prevent pinch-hit situations, setting the tone for a three-game winning streak. We players who spend a lot of time on the bench have to make things happen. The strength of Softbank is that it has such competitive players in reserve.
The record against Nippon-Ham in the regular season and CS (excluding the one-win advantage) was 16 wins and 15 losses. Before the game, Manager Kokubo reportedly said to the opposing manager, who is the same age as him, "Thank you for the past year." They settled the fierce battle and advanced to the Japan Series for the second consecutive year. Last season, they lost to DeNA in the final showdown, which left them with a sense of loss. On June 22nd, in an interview at Koshien after clinching victory in the interleague games, the manager vowed, "I hope to be able to take on Hanshin Tigers, who are number one in the Central League, in the fall." "It caused a bit of an uproar (among fans of other teams), but it was a goal I set for my own team." They will now face off in the promised land, aiming to become number one in Japan for the first time in five years. (Shimao Koichiro)
Related News
・ [Scoreboard] Softbank vs. Nippon-Ham
・ [Pacific League CS] Softbank advances to the Japan Series for the second consecutive year. Manager Kokubo commented on Kawase's game-winning hit, "I'm happy that a player like that hit it."
・ [Pacific League CS] Softbank manager Kokubo conveys his gratitude to Nippon-Ham Ham manager Shinjo, saying, "Thank you for the year" and "It was a fun season."
・ [Pacific League CS] Softbank wins a fierce battle... Advances to the Japan Series for the 22nd time, the most in the Pacific League. They have won against Hanshin Tigers three times in the past.
・ [Pacific League CS] MVP Moinelo shut out the opponent for seven innings in the first game, allowing only one runs in seven innings with four days off. Manager Kokubo said, "He pitched really well."
