SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1 DeNA vs Softbank Hawks (24th, Yokohama)

Softbank Hawks' number seven catcher, Yudai Yamamoto, recorded multiple hits. After hitting a right-field single in his first at-bat with one out in the second inning, he hit a doble down the left-field line in his third at-bat with a runner on first and no outs in the seventh. This created a situation with no outs and runners on second and third, and Softbank Hawks took the lead during the following groundout to second by the eighth batter, Shoji.

He was transferred from DeNA via a trade mid-season. He contributed to the consecutive championships by hitting .267 with 6 home runs in 55 games. Before the series, the Hawks' regular catcher, who had said, 'Yokohama Stadium is a place where I played often. I'm really looking forward to seeing if I'll be nervous or how it will feel,' showed off his inherent batting sense against his former team.