◇ Chiba Lotte Marines vs. Saitama Seibu Lions 1st round (27th, Zozo Marine Stadium)

Chiba Lotte Marines The first batter of the game Ko Matsukawa The first hit of the game was by a player.

Matsukawa, making his first appearance in the season opener starting line-up since 2022, his rookie year, as "No. 8 catcher". With neither team scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning, Matsukawa came to bat with two outs and two runners on base, and he hit a count third pitch from 1-1 back to center fielder. This hit allowed Soto to get back to second base runner. The second-round draft rookie, who started the game, gave up a valuable first run. Kaito Mori pitcher The first run scored by Matsukawa in the first inning of the game.

hit Matsukawa finished last season with a record of 8 At Bat in six appearances. This season, he hopes to use last season's disappointment as a springboard to a first-team appearance.

Matsukawa's comments
I hit the ball hard anyway. I'm glad I was able to get the lead.

Text by Hiroki TANISHIMA