◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: extra inning 1-1 Rakuten Eagles (12 innings) (May 5th, Belluna Dome)

Rakuten Eagles 's first-round draft pick, rookie right-handed pitcher Sota Fujiwara from Hanazono University, pitched five innings, giving up only four hit and one runs. While he didn't get his first professional win in his second start, his 94 pitches raised expectations for the future.

Armed with a fastball reaching 155 km/h and a sharp fork, 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 pitch runner he pitched tenaciously, closer to just that one run and controlling the game well.

"I gave up one runs in five innings, but I only managed to retire inning in order once. I also gave up unnecessary walks and hit batters, creating unnecessary runner Hit by Pitch and putting myself in dangerous situations. It was better than last time (four runs allowed in three innings against Orix Buffaloes), but I don't think it was a pitching performance that could bring momentum to the team."

He reflected on his first professional loss to Kuwabara: "I knew home run... if it hadn't been for that one pitch, we might have won 1-0. It could have been a ball, but I wanted strike it and it floated a little too high.

Regarding the improvements since his last outing, Fujiwara said, "I think I was able to improve my attitude when facing the batter, and things like that." He added, "My physical condition was good, and the adjustments I've made this past week were correct. I think I just need to practice the technical aspects more. I'll aim to pitch even better next time than I did today, and I'll work hard this week to achieve that." He was determined to finally get his third win. (Hiroshi Kato)

◆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.