◆Pre-season game: Hanshin Tigers 5-0 Softbank Hawks (6th, Koshien)

Softbank Hawks 's Haru Matsumoto pitcher started and closer just one run on four hit and one Walk in five innings. He threw a solid 63 pitches, but the fourth-year left-hander seemed runs with his performance, saying, "My pitches weren't very good today. But since this was a day for that kind of practice, I tried to adjust my form a little, but it didn't work out."

Manager Hiroki Kokubo, upon hearing his comments from the press after his departure, expressed surprise, saying, "Even if it wasn't that great (1 runs pitch)? I thought it was fine. If it wasn't that great, then we can have high hopes for him." Regarding his inclusion in the opening rotation, he said, "If he's in his current condition, then yes."