This project looks back on the 2026 season of the Pacific League warriors. We will reflect on the performance of Misho Nishikawa, who won his first title for most hits this season with the Chiba Lotte Marines, which faced the season under a new system led by first-year manager Saburo.

The 155th hit produced in the final game of the regular season

Last season, in his rookie year, Nishikawa recorded a .281 batting average and a league-leading 27 doble in 108 games, earning the Pacific League Rookie of the Year award. This season, he got off to a strong start with 3 hit in the second game of the opening series and a .333 monthly batting average in April.

His momentum did not stop in May, as he recorded a 12-game hitting streak starting in the middle of the month. Furthermore, while he had only 3 Home Run all of last season, he showed off his power with 4 Home Run in the month of May alone. On July 7th, after his first-ever All-Star selection was announced, he celebrated by hitting his first career professional bases loaded Home Run in the game that same day.

On July 20th, he crashed into the wall while making a catch and missed 5 games, but returned for the All-Star game. In Game 1, he came on as a pinch hitter and hit a 2-run Home Run, earning the Fighting Spirit Award.

He continued to produce hit consistently in the second half of the season without a significant slump, making the race for the most hit intense. On October 4th, he hit a ball that brought him within one hit of Orix Buffaloes' Ryoma Nishikawa, and finally, in his second at-bat of the regular season finale on the 6th, his 155th hit flew out, securing the title for most hit.

Surpassing his previous year's totals in every category including games played, batting average, hit, Home Run, RBI, on-base percentage, and OPS, Nishikawa had a season completely unaffected by the "sophomore slump." He has also been selected to play in the "Luxas Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026" starting November 12th. Expectations are high for him to showcase his batting prowess in this tournament where Asia's up-and-coming stars gather.

◇Misho Nishikawa 2026 Stats
136 Games 586 Plate Appearances 155 hit 8 Home Run 53 RBI .290 Batting Average .353 OBP .745 OPS