SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1 DeNA vs Softbank Hawks (24th, Yokohama)
Softbank Hawks pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa left the mound after seven innings with zero runs.
Following the regular season, the right-handed pitcher also served as the starter for the Japan Series. In the first inning, he faced a one-out, bases loaded situation due to a Hit by Pitch and two hits, but escaped the jam by inducing Kajiwara into a shortstop grounder double play. He recovered after that, retiring the side in order in the second and fifth innings. He also ended up finishing the sixth inning with three batters, pulling the momentum toward the opening score in the seventh.
In the defense immediately following, he was hit by a batted ball from the lead-off hitter Kajiwara, and later faced a situation with a runner on second and one out, but he did not allow any runs. Holding onto a one-run lead, Matsumoto Hiroshi took the mound in the eighth inning. They attempted to seal the win with their winning formula, but allowed a game-tying solo home run to Maki.
![[Scoreboard] DeNA Softbank Hawks](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Japan Series] Commotion at the stadium! DeNA player Kajiwara's batted ball hits Softbank Hawks' Naoyuki Uwasawa in the right thigh, leading to a balk, but he allows no runs. He pitched seven scoreless innings, heading into the final stages with a 1-0 lead.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/24/20261024-OHT1I51527-L.jpg)
![[Japan Series] The MVP's bat breaks the deadlock in the 7th inning! Successfully took the lead during Yudai Shoji's groundout to second. The 24-year-old, who earned 1 million yen in prize money with a .455 batting average in the CS Final Stage.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/24/20261024-OHT1I51521-L.jpg)
