SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1: DeNA 1-3 Softbank Hawks (11th extra inning) (24th, Yokohama)

Softbank Hawks pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa (32) roared many times. It was the 7th inning with a one-run lead. He induced a grounder to the pitcher from the lead-off batter Kajiwara. The powerful hit struck his right thigh directly, but he gritted his teeth to record the out. After one out, he gave up a center-field hit to Mimori. He allowed the runner to advance to second on a balk, then shifted into high gear. He got Hayashi to fly out to right and struck out Tobashira swinging to escape the predicament. He nodded, having fulfilled his duty with zero runs.

In the CS Final Stage against Nippon-Ham, he pitched in the second game following Moinelo. In the Japan Series, he was entrusted with the first game. While there were circumstances where Moinelo was not at his best, Manager Kokubo emphasized, "He was our opening day pitcher this year, and I am entrusting it to him." His stability was second to none, as seen when he escaped a bases loaded crisis with one out in the first inning.

Being able to stay tough both physically and mentally is due to proper preparation. Fujiwara, a third-year right-handed pitcher out of high school who sought guidance during off-season independent training, said, "His running times don't change from the first sprint to the last." This was something Uwasawa had always been conscious of. "How can I get them to let me pitch long innings?" This is the most important theme for a starter. He maintained the mindset that "I should treat the running menu like a game and not let my times change from the first rep to the last."

Last year, when they won the championship for the first time in five years, they lost the first game but then won four in a row. In the second game, Uwasawa became the winning pitcher, pulling the momentum toward them all at once. In the eighth inning, Matsumoto Yu gave up a game-tying solo home run to Maki, and although he could not grasp a series win for the second consecutive year, it was a magnificent display of pitching. The player wearing number 10 stood out brilliantly. (Tatsuki Moriguchi)