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

Fukuoka Softbank's Tomoya Masaki hit a go-ahead two-run home run that became the game-winner. He recorded an RBI in three consecutive games and won the "PERSOL Award," which is determined by fan vote for the player who performed most "Pa-nai" (incredible) during the PERSOL CS Pa period.

Masaki appeared in the starting line-up for all three games as the "No. 1 first baseman." In the first game, he hit a sacrifice fly in a situation to take the lead, and in the second game, he contributed to the team's comeback win with a timely doble from third base with no outs in the bottom of the 3rd inning while trailing by two runs. In the third game, although he allowed the opponent to take the lead following his own error in the top of the 5th inning when the score was tied, he hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the 5th.

During the period, he recorded a .333 batting average with 4 hit in 12 At Bat and 4 RBI, leading the lineup as the leadoff man. Toward a second consecutive year as Japan champions, expectations are high for his batting in the "SMBC Japan Series 2026."

◇Tomoya Masaki Comment
"I hit a fastball. I allowed them to take the lead due to my own mistake, so in this at-bat, I only had the feeling of 'I will definitely make up for it.' I just wanted to lead us to a win, that's all."

Text by Mina Niwa