◆Exhibition game: Softbank Hawks vs. Hiroshima (March 21, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks pitcher Haru Matsumoto shut out the opposing team for three innings in his final appearance of the preseason games.

In the first inning, he allowed a single to Hirakawa, the leadoff batter, but after getting a runner on first with one out, closer Kozono to hit into a double play play, just as planned, keeping the score at runs. After that, his fastball consistently clocked in the high 140s km/h, and he displayed careful pitch, keeping breaking ball low. He closer the score at runs by getting ahead in strike and pitching at a good tempo, showing stability heading into the season opener.