◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Rakuten Eagles (5th, Belluna Dome)

Rakuten Eagles, riding a three-game winning streak, sent their first-round draft pick rookie right-handed pitcher, Sota Fujiwara (Hanazono University), to his second start, hoping for his first professional win. He pitched five innings against Seibu Lions, giving up only four hit and one runs, but was taken out of the game tied 1-1, postponing his first professional win.

Armed with fastballs in the 150 km/h range and sharp, decisive breaking ball, he went up against the Lions. In the third inning, with a one-run lead, he gave up a game-tying solo home run to Kuwahara. However, despite giving up four Hit by Pitch and runner, he pitch tenaciously, closer to just that one run and controlling the game well.

After leaving the mound, Fujiwara commented, "I'm glad I was able to pitch five innings. I'm also glad I was able to put into practice what I learned from my previous outing. However, I gave up unnecessary Hit by Pitch and hit batters, which prevented fielder from getting into a rhythm, and I'll keep that in mind for next time."

◆ Sota Fujiwara, born November 20, 2003, in Iga City, Mie Prefecture. Age 22. He started playing baseball second baseman in the first grade of Tamataki Elementary School with the youth baseball team "Ayama Blue Fires". At Ayama Junior High School, he belonged to Koga Little Senior and short stop. At Minakuchi High School (Shiga Prefecture), he was on the bench from the fall of his first year. At Hanazono University, he was on the bench from the spring of his first year and participated in the All Japan University baseball Championship in the spring of his second year. He joined Rakuten Eagles as the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. He is the first professional baseball player from Hanazono University. 178 cm, 73 kg. Right-handed pitcher, right-handed batter.