Lotte's fourth-round draft pick, Yuya Sakurai (Shohei High School), hit his first professional hit in a practice game against Rakuten Eagles Monkeys on the 10th.

Sakurai, who started as the fourth batter and third starting line-up, hit slider on the first pitch in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, hit the gap between third and shortstop for a single to left field. This was a happy moment for Sakurai, as it was his first hit in his first at-bat in a practice game.

Sakurai commented through the team, "I went to bat expecting to throw fastball, but slider came and my body reacted well and I was able to hit it. I'm relieved to have gotten one hit. However, in my next at bat I was waiting for fastball but missed fastball, so I would like to improve my accuracy in those areas."

Sakurai's batting results were 1 At Bat and 1 hit 1 at-Walk.