◆Pre-season game Softbank Hawks and Seibu Lions (1st, Ivy Stadium)

Softbank Hawks infielder Akihiro hit a home run out of the park.

Trailing by four runs, he was at the top of the fifth inning. He stepped up to bat and with count at 2 balls and 1 strike, he slammed a 146 km/h fastball. The ball was obvious the moment he hit it, and it flew easily over the right field wall 100 meters away and out of the stadium. The stadium erupted in roars at the astonishing hit.

Akihiro commented, "I was able to hit it perfectly. The work I've been doing with Yamakawa every day during camp has translated into results at the plate. I want to keep working hard and strive for results in the games."