◆Exhibition game: Softbank Hawks 5-1 Chunichi (March 17, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks Itua Ikhine infielder Ihinetsua hit a two-run homer.

In the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run lead, two outs, and a runner on second base, he connected with Neo's fork. "I hit it squarely, so I was hoping it would go over the fence as I ran," he said, and the ball landed in the right-center field stands. It was his first home run of the preseason.

He often comes in as a pinch runner or to fill in as defense outfield, but in the preseason he has 3 hit 8 At Bat, for a batting average of .375. "I don't intend to end my career just as a base base running and defense substitute. I'm always giving my all in everything I do, so I don't know what will happen yet," he said, continuing to appeal for a spot on the opening day roster in hitting, fielding, and baserunning.