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

Nippon-Ham 's fifth-round draft pick, catcher Kaito Fujimori (18) from Meitoku Gijuku High School, started the game as the leadoff hitter and catcher. In his first at-bat in the first inning, with a 1-2 count, he hit an infield hit to third base off Lotte's Haru Tanaka's 150 km/h fastball. Meitoku Gijuku senior Teraji fielded the high-bouncing ball, but Fujimori's speed prevailed. Later, he stole second base during the at-bat of the second batter, Tsuneya, creating a scoring opportunity. He also got hit in the exhibition game against Hiroshima on February 22nd (in Nago), and once again the 18-year-old has shown his extraordinary batting talent.

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."