[Lotte] Toshiya Sato, with a batting average in the .100s, hits his long-awaited first home run, a 3-run homer, on the first pitch: "I was able to swing aggressively" | Pacific League

[Lotte] Toshiya Sato had a batting average in the .100s, hit his long-awaited first home run, a three-run shot, on the first pitch. "I was able to swing aggressively."

Sports Hochi

April 25, 2026 13:46

In the second inning, with two outs and runners on first and second base, Toshiya Sato hit a go-ahead three-run Home Run to right field. (Photo by Hidekazu Toyoda)

◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Lotte (25th, Kumamoto)

Lotte Toshiya Sato catcher gave up their first three runs of the season in the 0-0 2nd inning, catching Uesawa's first pitch perfectly and smacking it into the right field bleachers with two outs and runners on first and second. Prior to the game, he was batting .102 with a sluggish batting average. He had been in a slump, but in his 20th game of the season, he drew the long-awaited arch. I was able to hit the ball aggressively. I'm glad we managed to get the lead.