◆Opening game Orix Buffaloes and Softbank Hawks (8th at Kyocera Dome)

Softbank Hawks Stewart of the National League, in his second start in the open game, closer went 5 innings with 2 hit unearned runs outs. After allowing a hit to So in the top of the first inning, he allowed hitter 12 consecutive outs until the fourth inning. doble Moritomo in the top of the fifth inning allowed a closer to right field, but he was able to get the rest of the way . He was very consistent breaking ball with his 120-kilometer vertical curve, sharp cutter and splitter, and his fastball over 150 kilometers pitch. I was satisfied with my performance because I was able to get strike on all my pitches," he said.

Last season, he injured his left rectus abdominis muscle during training camp and missed the entire season. In 2024, he was a right-handed pitcher with a record of 9 wins and 4 losses and ERA of 1.95. This season, he is expected to be a pillar of the starting rotation, filling the gap left by Arihara, who was transferred to Nippon-Ham.