【Buffaloes Inside】
Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani is continuing his preparations smoothly for his own "opening game."
"I was able to throw with a better feeling than last time. I feel that the accuracy of breaking ball has improved. I want to throw more straight in-course hitters on the right side and raise the level even more." Soya, who made his second start after returning from the World Baseball Classic (WBC), looked back on the pitch with a smile.
In the farm team interleague game against DeNA on April 2nd (at Sugimoto Shoji Bs Maishima), he threw 73 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 strike out, hit BB 2, and runs 1 run. He was perfect up to the 5th inning. His signature slider was working well, allowing only one hit. Helped by the DeNA batters' quick swings and defensive support from catcher Kosuke Tajima who caught a runner stealing second base, he finished the 5th inning with 52 pitches. "I was scheduled to pitch 5 innings, but I volunteered to continue pitching one more," he said.
He was taken out of the game after giving up a run on a right-field single to infielder with two outs and runners on first and second, but he didn't seem to suffer any damage, as he changed his approach for the unscheduled sixth inning, throwing more breaking ball. He was able to show a different side of himself compared to his previous start on March 26 against Hanshin Tigers (2 2/3 innings, 45 pitches, 5 Home Run hit, 1 home run, 3 runs).
His words, "I'm ready to pitch (in the first team) anytime," revealed his determination to take the mound in the six-game series next week.
His season opener is finally here, and he has something to motivate him: the presence of pitcher Hiroya Miyagi who played alongside him in the WBC. Miyagi was the opening day pitcher and earned his first win of the season (50th career win) in the daytime game against Seibu Lions (Belluna Dome) on the same day. During the interview, Miyagi asked Miyagi for an update on the game, saying, "What's going on?" When Miyagi replied, "I runs in the third inning, but the team came back to win," Miyagi responded, "That's amazing. I can't be left behind (laughs)."
Although Soya is one year older, he is three years younger than Soya in terms of turning pro. "Of course, he is more skilled than me. I just have to work hard every day to catch up." From tune-up appearances to mound for competition, Soya's season, in which he aims for at least double-digit win, will soon begin.
Interview and text by Masaki Kitano
