An exhibition game between Tohoku Rakuten Eagles and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will be held at Shizuoka Kusanagi Stadium from 1:00 p.m. on March 12th.

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles is currently on a three-game losing streak in exhibition games, including a draw. Although they scored four runs walk-off win against Chiba Lotte Marines on the 4th, they have been scoreless in the two games since then, lacking a decisive hit. In the bottom of the ninth inning Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on the 11th, Fumiya Kurokawa hit a sharp ball to second baseman to score one run, showing some determination. The 12th is the last exhibition game in Shizuoka. They hope to end the losing streak with a powerful batting lineup.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Taiki Narama, is from Shizuoka Prefecture. In the game on the 11th, he was starting line-up fourth batter and third baseman, and hit a timely hit that added a valuable point. Will he be able to perform well in his hometown every day?

Text by Ayako Kikuchi