◆ "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2026" Japan 13-3 Softbank Hawks = Called due to rain after the top of the seventh inning = (22nd, Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki)

Softbank Hawks Yoshiyasu Sasakawa outfielder gave up a solo hit off of Samurai Japan starter Sotani. Home Run Orix Buffaloes

starting line-up started as the ninth batter and center fielder. His first at-bat came in the second inning with two outs and no runner on base and the team trailing by three runs. After one strike, he took a powerful swing at the second pitch, a high cutter, sending the ball flying like a line drive into the middle of the right field pole. "I got a good result in my first at-bat. I think I made a good impression," he said with a satisfied look on his face.

Last season, his batting average against right-handed pitcher was .224, and against left-handed pitchers it was .167. Since the offseason, he has been working on an open stance, shifting his right foot slightly toward first base, to prepare for pitching against left-handed pitchers. "Left-handed pitcher were also an issue I had to work on. It was good that I was able to hit against one of Japan's leading left-handed pitcher," he said, translating the results into success.