2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 1: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (14th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks succeeded in turning the game around in the 4th inning while trailing 1-3. After the leadoff hitter Kurihara hit a single to right field, the opportunity expanded to one out with the bases loaded following Makihara's Hit by Pitch, Yamamoto's sacrifice bunt in front of the pitcher, and Yamakawa's Walk. The next batter Yanagimachi's ground ball induced a bad throw to home plate by first baseman Shibata, bringing them within one run.

With a great opportunity still at hand with one out and the bases loaded, Shoji caught the second pitcher Okawa right at the start of his appearance and hit a game-tying RBI single to right field. On the following fly ball by Masaki, the left fielder Gunji dropped the ball (recorded as a sacrifice fly and an error), which became the go-ahead run.

Furthermore, with one out and the bases loaded, Shuto, who had been picked off in the previous inning, hit a left sacrifice fly. Then, with two outs and runners on first and second, Kondo hit a timely RBI doble to left over the outfielder's head off the third pitcher, Shimamoto, extending the lead to 6-3.

In the regular season, Kokubo's The Hawks built up a surplus of 42 games with 91 wins, 49 losses, and 3 draws. Although the starting pitcher Moinelo was pulled early, they exuded the aura of a champion with a fierce offensive surge that scored five runs in a single inning.