◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 8-4 Nippon-Ham (29th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks 's pitcher Carter Stewart pitched a solid five innings, allowing three runs, to lead his team to their first three-game winning streak to start the season in three years. He was unable to pitch last season due to a left abdominal muscle injury. This was his first appearance in approximately 1 year and 5 months since Game 6 of the Japan Series against DeNA on November 3, 2014 (Yokohama), and his first win in 550 days since the game Seibu Lions on September 25 of the same year (Mizuho PayPay Dome).

After a three-run first inning, he gave up a tying solo shot to Mannami with one out in the 2nd inning with a one-run lead, and then allowed a run to score on a wild pitch by himself with two outs bases loaded. runs In the 3rd inning, with a two-run lead thanks to the batting lineup, he gave up a solo shot to Sachi Kiyomiya to tie the game at one, but he regained his rhythm from that point on. He was aided by his surroundings.

"Taking all of that into account, like the cheers and everything else, I stepped onto mound in front of a packed stadium for the opening series. It had been a really long time since I'd done that. I was nervous, but I was able to pitch well."

He was selected in the first round of the MLB draft but did not join the team until 2019. In 2023 he recorded three wins, including his first win, and in 2024 he recorded nine wins. Reflecting on 2025, a year plagued by injuries, he said, "I think everyone had high expectations of me, but I ended up disappointing them, and I had a pretty tough time." He described win he achieved after overcoming hardship as "emotional."

On this day, his wife, whom he announced his marriage to in 2025, was also there watching the game. Upon achieving his "first win since getting married," he beamed, saying, "I want to share this joy with her later."