◆WBC Quarterfinals: Japan vs. Venezuela (March 14, Miami, Florida, USA - Lone Depot Park)

Japan Sosuke Genda infielder (33) = Seibu Lions = appeared at starting line-up as "No. 8, Yugi". The first batter got on base Walk and hit a single up the middle in the second at bat with one out in the 4th inning, raising his batting average to .602.5 with 8 At Bat 5 hit total for this tournament.

Manager Ibata recognized his solid defense and secured his second consecutive appearance in the tournament, but he has also made his presence felt at bat. In the first round, he played the full game as the "number 8 hitter and shortstop" against Taiwan on the 6th, recording 3 hit 4 RBI. He went hit against South Korea on the 7th, but got one hit against Australia on the 8th. In the four games of the first round, he has maintained his good form with 4 hit in 7 At Bat-bats, a batting average of .571, 4 RBI, and 4 walks Hit by Pitch.

In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, his first appearance in the tournament, he fractured his right little finger while returning to base during a first-round game against South Korea, but he volunteered to continue playing and contributed to the team's victory. "Considering my age and for myself, I think this will be my last time. I want to win the championship and make it a good memory," he said, standing on ground with the resolve to "retire from the national team."

◆Sosuke Genda: Born February 16, 1993, in Oita City, Oita Prefecture. Age 33. He did not play Koshien while attending Oita Commercial High School. After playing for Aichi Gakuin University and Toyota Motor Corporation, he joined Seibu Lions in 2016 as the third overall pick in the draft. In his first year, 2017, he played in all games, batting .270 with 3 Home Run and 57 RBI, and won the Rookie of the Year award. From 2018 to 2024, he won the Golden Glove Award seven times in seven consecutive years as short stop. 179 cm, 77 kg. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter. His estimated annual salary this season is 300 million yen.