◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Fukuoka Softbank Game 24 (1st, Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles's 7th-round draft rookie Shoya Sakagami recorded his long-awaited first professional hit.

Sakagami, who was named in the starting line-up as the "No. 9 left fielder," came to the plate with one out and no runner in the bottom of the 6th inning. On the second pitch, he pulled a breaking ball from pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa. The ball went through the gap between first and second base into right field. After producing his commemorative hit, Sakagami smiled on base while making the "Strong Eagle Innovation Pose" toward the dugout.

Sakagami joined the team as the 7th-round draft pick in 2025 after graduating from Kobe Kokusai University High School and Kindai University. Although he made his first-team debut in mid-April, he finished with no hit in 7 At Bat over 3 games. However, after recording a .237 batting average, 5 Home Run, and 31 RBI in 83 farm games, he was promoted back to the first team on September 26th.

◇ Sakagami's Comment
"I think the pitch I hit was a fork. I don't remember it well. I hadn't been able to get a hit despite being given chances, so I'm just happy. Since I was jammed in my previous at-bat, I just decided to go for it with full commitment." (with a smile)