WBC Group C, first round: Japan 4-3 Australia (8th, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan pitcher Atsuki Taneichi 's pitch has been met with praise.

With the team leading 2-1, Taneichi took the mound as the third reliever in the eighth inning, replacing Seibu Lions 's Chihiro Sumida who was the second reliever. He pitched one inning without allowing hit runs, strike out two batters. His fastest pitch was measured at 154 km/h, and he pitched well closer all three batters for the second day in a row.

In his first appearance in the WBC on the 7th against South Korea, he pitched as the third reliever in the 7th inning with the score tied at 5-5. He mixed in a fork with a top speed of 156 km/h and a forkball, strike out three consecutive batters in a spectacular display. With 15 fiery pitches, his team's batting line scored three runs in the 7th inning, securing his first WBC win.

He joined the Lotte Marines as the sixth pick in the 2016 draft from Hachinohe Institute of Technology First High School. In 2020, he underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow, but returned to the first team in 2022. In 2023, he recorded 10 wins and became a pillar of the starting lineup, and has publicly stated his intention to try his hand at the majors in the future.

His last appearance as a relief pitcher was in 2019, seven years ago. This is also the first time he has pitched reliever since then. On social media, he has been showered with praise, with comments such as "Taneichi should go to the majors next year already!", "It's only a matter of time before he goes to the majors," "The first Aomori Prefecture native to play in the major leagues!! (It's getting premature)," "Taneichi is an honorary Aomori citizen," "Aomori's treasure..." and "Aomori Prefecture's star."