◆ Pacific League vs. Softbank Hawks (3rd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte's second-round draft pick, pitcher Kaito Mori (Meiji University), was pulled from the game after 7 innings, having given up 2 runs. If a rookie starter won the opening win had gone 2-0 in two starts, it would have been the first time in 68 years since Tadashi Sugiura (Nankai) in 1958 (excluding the inaugural year of professional baseball in 1936), but he missed out on achieving this remarkable feat.

He pitched brilliantly from the start. His sharp fastball, slider, and knuckle curve baffled the Hawks' lineup. He kept the score at zero until the 7th inning, but a test awaited him. He allowed a single to Yamakawa, the leadoff batter, and then gave up a home run to Kurihara on the second pitch to right field. He returned to the dugout, slammed his glove down, covered his face with a towel, and shivered.

In his professional debut game on March 27 against Seibu Lions, he pitched brilliantly, allowing only four hit no runs over five innings. He became only the second rookie in the team's history to earn an opening day win, the first being Yoshimi Ebara in 1950, 76 years ago, and gave manager Saburo his first win.

Although he didn't achieve the feat of becoming only the third player in history to do so, his performance of 7 innings pitched and 2 runs was impressive. This is a positive sign for the struggling team.