On March 3rd at 6 PM, an exhibition game between Fukuoka Softbank and the Tokyo Yakult will be held at MIZUHO PayPay Dome.

In their first exhibition game on March 1st, Fukuoka Softbank lost to the Saitama Seibu Lions, but their offense was active, racking up 11 hit and 6 runs. Among them, Yuto Akihiro stood out with two Home Run hits, doble and a home run.

In the bottom of the third inning, he hit a ball off pitcher Rei Takahashi that went straight to wall fence, and in the bottom of the fifth inning, he hit a home run over the right field stands off pitcher Shinya Sugai, showcasing his characteristic power. Last season, after joining the team in a trade, he only managed a batting average of .208 in 22 games. This season, can he perform well in the preseason games and earn a starting line-up position?

Written by Kai Nagi Niwa