◆Pre-season game Softbank Hawks and Yakult (5th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks 's Yuto Akihiro started the game as the sixth batter and first baseman. In the second inning with one out, he hit a bullet line drive off Yoshimura's inside slider into the right field stands at 181 km/h (according to the stadium display), giving his team the lead with his second home run of the season. "I was able to hit slider perfectly. I think I'm able to put into practice what I've been working on since my offseason training and spring training. I won't be satisfied with this and will continue to work hard in practice and strive for results," he said.

He hit his first home run out of the park in the game against Seibu Lions (Ivy) on the 1st. He also hit a three-run home run in Samurai Japan's send-off game (Sunmarine) on February 23rd, making it his third home run in an external game this spring. This romantic hitter, now in his second year since transferring from The Giants, is showing signs of awakening.