It was announced on the 22nd that Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani (25) has gotten married. His partner is an ordinary woman from the same hometown of Nara, who is in the same school year as him. After four years of dating, the couple submitted their marriage registration on this day.

Soya smiled. "He supported me when I wasn't getting results or when things were tough, and he always cheered me on cheerfully. To me, he's like the sun." Speaking of his signature move, a friend named him "Roller Coaster slider" because of the width of the curves. At this new turning point in his life, he was determined to "fastball."

The proposal took place on a holiday during the season. In a room with a beautiful view of the Kobe nightscape, he honestly asked her to marry him. He also prepared a ring and 108 roses. "I was so happy..." he said, overwhelmed with happiness. They are already living together, and he said with a smile, "I especially love grilled chicken breast with cheese and shiso leaves. I want to build a home where we can always be happy and have a happy life together."

He joined the team as the first pick in the 2022 draft from Hakuoh University. This season, his third year as a professional, he recorded a career-high eight wins (eight losses). He was selected for Samurai Japan in November. In a training match against South Korea, pitch a perfect three innings as a starter, making a strong impression. "I want to stay humble. When I practice, I think, 'I'm the worst,' but when I step onto mound, I want to approach it with the mindset that, 'I'm the best.'" The left-handed pitcher is expected to be on the roster for next March's WBC, and his goals are to achieve double-digit win and innings pitched for the first time. With his lifelong partner by his side, he will become an even stronger and more robust man.

◆Sotani Ryuhei (born November 30, 2000, in Nara Prefecture). 25 years old. After graduating from Meiso (Akita) and Hakuoh University, he joined Orix Buffaloes as the first pick in the 2010 draft. In his first year as a pro, win his first professional game on October 9, 2011, against Softbank Hawks (Kyocera Dome). This season, he was selected for Samurai Japan for the first time in March against the Netherlands. He recorded a career-high eight wins. His career record is 16 wins and 21 losses in 51 games, ERA 3.25. He is 183 cm tall and weighs 83 kg. He bats and throws left-handed. His estimated annual salary for next season is 55 million yen. He has been Orix Buffaloes fan since childhood.