On October 16, the third game of the "2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pa" Final Stage between Fukuoka Softbank and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham was held at MIZUHO PayPay Dome. Fukuoka Softbank won 6-2, securing their advancement to the "SMBC Nippon Series 2026."

Starting pitcher Yugo Maeda allowed the opening run in the first inning on an RBI hit by Kotaro Kiyomiya, but showed steady pitch from the second inning onwards. In the bottom of the third, the lineup tied the game when lead-off batter Yudai Yamamoto hit a doble, followed by an RBI hit from Yudai Shoji with one out and a runner on third.

However, in the top of the fifth, pitcher Maeda gave up another run on an RBI infield hit by Tatsuki Mizuno after an error led to two outs with runners on second and third. Although they fell behind again, Tomoya Masaki hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to make up for the error, successfully turning the game around. In the bottom of the sixth, RBI hits from Yamamoto and Tatsuru Yanagimachi, followed by a sacrifice fly from Taisei Makihara in the bottom of the seventh, steadily widened the lead to 6-2.

From the sixth inning, the team used a solid relay of Gota Suzuki, Hernandez, and Yuki Matsumoto, with Kazuki Sugiyama closing out the game. Fukuoka Softbank, securing their third consecutive Nippon Series appearance, saw second-year player Shoji win the MVP. Additionally, Masaki was selected for the PERSOL Award, which is determined by fan voting.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, eliminated from the PERSOL CS Pa after three consecutive losses, saw starting pitcher Takayuki Kato allow 6 hits and 3 runs in 4.1 innings. The lineup struggled to score after the opening run, and the relief pitchers also conceded multiple runs.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
F 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
H 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 X 6

F ●Takayuki Kato-Ryusei Kawano-Yi-Lei Sun-Taisho Tamai-Mizuki Hori-Taisei Yanagawa
H ○Yugo Maeda-Gota Suzuki-Hernandez-Yuki Matsumoto-Kazuki Sugiyama

Text by Minagi Niwa