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

Softbank Hawks Hawks outfielder Kensuke Kondo immediately got hit in his first appearance since the WBC.

He struggled at the WBC, going hitless in 13 At Bat hit and continued to review his batting form after returning home. After joining the team on the 19th, he made his first appearance in an exhibition game on this day, playing as the "number 3 hitter and right fielder."

In the first inning with two outs, Kondo stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat and swung at a 152 km/h fastball from the first pitch to the fielder. On the sixth pitch, with count at 2-2, he connected with change-up, sending the ball straight to the top of wall in front of the right field terrace seats. Kondo easily advanced to second base. He made his presence felt by hitting an extra-base hit immediately after joining the team.