[Softbank Hawks] Hotaka Yamakawa hits his first home run of the open season, a three-run homer, and together with Yuto Akihiro, they score all eight runs | Pacific League

[Softbank Hawks] Hotaka Yamakawa also scored 3 runs with Yuto Akihiro, his first arch in the open game, for a total of 8 runs!

Sports Hochi

March 11, 2026 19:16

In the second inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, Hotaka Yamakawa hits a three-run home run to right-center field (photographed by Takei Furukawa)

◆Pre-season game Softbank Hawks and The Giants (11th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks infielder Hotaka Yamakawa hit his first home run of the exhibition game.

With two outs and runners on first and second in the 5-1 second inning, I swung hard at a straight ball from full count. With a dry thud, the ball sailed into the terrace in right-center field. It was his first arch in his 15th at bat in the open game, and his three-run shot extended the lead to seven runs.

He also hit a leadoff single to left field in the first inning, giving him four RBI in the second inning. Akihiro, who trained with him this offseason, also hit bases loaded slam in the first inning, meaning the two have scored all eight runs so far.