◆Exhibition game: Softbank Hawks 5-7 Hiroshima (March 21, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks... Isami Nomura infielder gave up run number 2.

With four runs on and two outs in the 8th inning, count he swung hard at a curveball from two balls. The ball went high and flew into the left-field terrace seats, scoring two runs. His batting average was now .268.

Immediately after hitting the ball, he ran off with a slightly disappointed expression on his face, and he himself seemed a little surprised by the hit, saying, "I thought it was a fly ball to left field." He felt that he had made good progress in the at-bat, saying, "I was able to hit breaking ball that was floating nicely without missing it. I had also been able to let fork and change-up go by before that, so I think it was a good at-bat."

While third baseman Kurihara has a batting average of .191, manager Kokubo commented, "Kurihara's condition isn't improving, so we're wondering what we'll do. But Yu is making a good impression." Nomura said, "I just need to hit. I don't know what will happen after that, so I'll just do what I can," aiming to prove his presence with results until the very end in order to be in the opening day starting starting line-up.