[Softbank Hawks] Naoyuki Uwasawa fails to win any of the 12 teams. In his second year with the team, he made his first opening pitcher but gave up 4 runs in 5 innings against his former team, Nippon-Ham, resulting in a no-decision. | Pacific League

[Softbank Hawks] Naoyuki Uwasawa fails to win any of the 12 teams. In his first opening pitcher in his second year with the team, he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings against his former team, Nippon-Ham but did not get a win or a loss.

Sports Hochi

March 27, 2026 20:26

In the first inning with no outs and a runner on first base, Softbank Hawks 's Naoyuki Uwasawa gave up a go-ahead two-run Home Run to Kotaro Kiyomiya (Photo by Hidenori Baba).

◆ Pacific League Softbank vs. Nippon-Ham (27th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks 's opening pitcher pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa, who left the game after 5 innings, having given up 4 runs and leaving the score tied. He did not receive a win or a loss. If they had beaten Nippon-Ham, where he played until 2024, he would have become the 23rd player in NPB history win all 12 teams. Uwasawa had also served as the opening day pitcher during his time with Nippon-Ham in 2019 and 2021. While 14 players have served as opening day pitcher for two or more teams in the same league, he was only the third to pitch against his former team.

Last season, after being "re-imported" from American baseball to join The Hawks, he only made one appearance against the Fighters and suffered a loss. Before the game, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It's an honor to be entrusted with the opening pitcher, and especially since it's The Fighters. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm so happy to be able to pitch."

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