Meiji Jingu Tournament Tohoku District Representative Deciding Match - Round 1: Fuji University 0-6 Sendai University (24th, Morioka)

Orix Buffaloes manager Mamoru Kishida (45) visited the site on the 24th to observe the first-round draft pick, pitcher Futo Tsunoda (22) from Fuji University. The ready-to-play right-hander, known as the 'Doctor K of Michinoku' with a maximum speed of 153 km/h, started in the first round of the Meiji Jingu Tournament Tohoku District Representative Playoff against Sendai University (Morioka). He showed a powerful performance, recording 7 struck out batters primarily using his fastball, which reached 149 km/h, and his splitter. Kishida evaluated him, saying, 'I thought it was good that he could pitch energetically, and he clearly showed me his style of being able to get batters struck out. I am looking forward to it.'

In the third inning, with one out, he allowed a hit to left field by the opposing Ryuto Ijiri catcher (22), who was also selected by the Orix Buffaloes as the second developmental draft pick, and gave up 2 runs due to an error by a teammate. He became the lose pitcher after allowing 5 runs (0 earned) in 4 1/3 innings. The manager nodded and said, 'In the second inning, it started with Ijiri's hit, and it was an interesting matchup. I'm glad both Ijiri and Kakuta seem to be doing well.'

In the team, aces such as Miyagi, Yamashita, and Soya are out for a long period due to surgery. Manager Kishida expressed his expectations for the newcomers to secure a spot in the starting rotation from their first year, stating, 'Of course, they need to compete and firmly earn their place.'