◇Fukuoka Softbank vs Hokkaido Nippon-Ham "2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pa" Final Stage Game 3 (16th, MIZUHO PayPay Dome)

Fukuoka Softbank's Yudai Shoji recorded 2 hit in 4 At Bat, including a game-tying hit. He showed a great performance with a .455 batting average in the Final Stage and was selected as the MVP.

Shoji, who was in the starting line-up for the third consecutive game as the "No. 9 short stop," came to his first at-bat in the bottom of the 3rd inning with one out and a runner on third, trailing by one run. On the fourth pitch, he jammed an inside breaking ball but carried it to left field for a game-tying RBI hit. In his second at-bat in the bottom of the 5th inning, again trailing by one run, he created an opportunity with a doble with one out, which led to the go-ahead two-run home run by the following batter, Tomoya Masaki.

In last season's PERSOL CS Pa, he only appeared as a substitute, but this season he showed his presence toward the end of the season and established himself in the starting line-up. He also appeared in the starting line-up for this series, performing dynamically with 5 hit in 11 At Bat, 2 RBI, and a .455 batting average.

◇Yudai Shoji Comment
"I hit a shootball. I went to the plate determined to make the most of the chance that was passed to me. I think the result of being able to swing aggressively turned into a timely hit. Since I was able to bring the game back to a clean slate, I will do my best to lead us to a win from here."

Text by Mina Niwa