◆ Pacific League 3-1 Seibu Lions (27th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Seibu Lions 's first-round draft pick, catcher Taiga Kojima from Meiji University, got his first professional hit in his first at-bat on the 27th, off opposing starting left-handed pitcher Kaito Mori who was also a classmate from Meiji University.

As the number nine hitter and catcher, he became the first rookie catcher to start in the opening game for the team in 20 years, since Sumitani in 2006. In his first at-bat in the third inning with one out, he hit a 124 km/ slider from Mori. The ball went through the gap between first and second base for a memorable first professional hit, a single to right hit.

The day before, Kojima had expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm happy to be able to compete against my old teammates, and I couldn't get a hit off him in college, so I'd like to get my first hit his rival, and with a bright smile, he said, "I'm glad I was able to get a hit off Mori. It went to a good spot." However, the team started the season with a loss, and Kojima vowed revenge, saying, "I wanted to win, but I want to use this game as a good experience and work hard from now on."