Open game Nippon-Ham and Lotte (7th, Escond)

Nippon-Ham 's fifth-round draft pick, catcher Kaito Fujimori (18) of Meitoku Gijuku, started as leadoff catcher. In his first at-bat in the first inning, count at 1-2, he hit an infield hit to third base off a 150 km/h fastball from Lotte's Haru Tanaka. His senior at Meitoku Gijuku, Teraji, tried to handle the high-bouncing ball, but Fujimori's speed prevailed. Then, in the second batter, Tsuneya, stole second base, creating a chance. He also had hit in the exhibition game against Hiroshima on February 22 (in Nago), once again showing the 18-year-old's exceptional batting ability.

During the training camp, Manager Shinjo praised the players' excellent batting ability, saying, "I love the fact that the location of the hitting point during free batting practice is almost the same.Everyone is different, but it's great that they hit it in that position, whether it's a little forward and it goes up a fly ball or a grounder.The free batting practice makes you want to watch it, and it keeps you thinking.And it's producing results, too."