Luxas Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026 Final: Japan vs South Korea (15th, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan's Misho Nishikawa hit his first home run to take the lead. Appearing in the starting line-up as the 'number three hitter and right fielder,' he hit a high fly ball to left field with two outs in the first inning while the score was 0-0, sending it over the fence.

Even after the rising stars in the first and second spots, Masaki and Muneyama, were retired, Japan still had this man. Against left-hander Kim Geon-woo, he lashed at a sweet breaking ball from a full count. Certain it was going into the stands, he shouted with a smile. As he rounded the bases, he broke into a powerful fist pump, and Tokyo Dome was suddenly enveloped in a massive roar.

He reflected, 'I was expecting a change-up or a fastball, and since there were many breaking balls, I'm glad I was able to hit based on reaction. I wanted to provide run support early for Takahashi.'

Japan won three consecutive games in the three-game opening round. Masaki, batting first, and Muneyama, batting second, both produced a high volume of Home Run with four each over the three games, leading the team to victories against Taiwan, South Korea, and Australia to advance to the finals with a three-game winning streak.