WBC First Round Group C Japan vs. Korea (7th, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan's Lotte Marines pitcher, Atsuki Taneichi (27), took the mound in the seventh inning with the score tied at 5-5. He made his long-awaited first appearance on the big stage of the WBC, striking out three struck out in a row with a top speed of 156 km/h.

He has been a member of Samurai Japan before, including as a support member in 2011, in the European national team match in March 2012, and in the match against the Netherlands national team in March 2013, but this is his first time participating in the WBC. He has fulfilled his dream since he was a young baseball player at Misawa Elementary School in Aomori: "Put on the Samurai Japan uniform and take to mound at the WBC."

He is entrusted with starting as an ace pitcher at Lotte, but before he was established in the first team, he also had experience as a relief pitcher, and whether he is the second starter or a relief pitcher, he says reassuringly, "I don't feel it's that difficult. What I do is the same." All he has in his sights is a consecutive championship.

◆Atsuki Taneichi: Born September 7, 1998, in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, age 27. He did not play in Koshien tournament while attending Hachinohe Institute of Technology High School. He joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2016 draft as the 6th pick. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2020 and made his return to the mound on August 11, 2022, against Softbank Hawks Hawks. Last season, he had a record of 9 wins and 8 losses ERA 2.63 in 24 games. His career record is 37 wins, 31 losses, 2 hold, and ERA 3.30 in 111 games. He is 183 cm tall and weighs 88 kg. He is a right-handed pitcher and batter. His estimated annual salary is 130 million yen.