2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 3: Softbank Hawks 6-2 Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks infielder Yudai Shoji won his first career CS MVP. He performed well with a .455 batting average, recording 5 hits in 11 At Bats and 2 RBI over three games. Starting as the number nine hitter and shortstop today, he delivered a game-tying RBI hit to left field with one out and a runner on third in the third inning while trailing by one run.

He received 1 million yen in prize money as the MVP at the post-game awards ceremony. During the post-game press conference, he smiled and said, 'I think I might have done a bit too well.' As a second-year player out of college, expectations are high for his performance in the Japan Series as well. He spoke energetically, saying, 'At the very least, I want to handle defense and base running solidly, and get a key hit in a good situation. I want to fully demonstrate my style, including advancing runners and stolen bases.'