◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Orix Buffaloes (August 1st, ES CON FIELD)
starting line-up Softbank Hawks Orix Buffaloes Softbank Hawks Kyocera Dome Osaka starting line-up Soya, a left-hander in his fourth year in the WBC, will be the starter mound as he aims for three wins in three games to open the season.
Below is the Orix Buffaloes starting line-up.
First baseman, third baseman Mune
Number 2, Center Fielder: Watanabe
Number 3, left fielder Nishikawa
Number 4, second baseman: Ota
5th batter, DH: Moritomo
Number 6, right fielder Nakagawa
Number 7, First Baseman: Seymour
Number 8, catcher Wakatsuki
Number 9, shortstop Kurebayashi
pitcher Soya
![[Photo] A tailwind for the team that is leading the pack... Raoh Yutaro Sugimoto & Yuma Tongu express their eagerness to "return in May"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/30/20260430-OHT1I51490-L.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Buffaloes](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Orix Buffaloes] Kosei Yoshida, returning from right elbow surgery, declares he will "repay the favor" to Shinjo's Fighters: "Even though they're on the opposing team..." He expresses gratitude for the "welcome back" message he received.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/30/20260430-OHT1I51500-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Sho Gibo, in his eighth year as a pro, returns to the main roster after two years: "He will be a valuable asset to the team"... Manager Mamoru Kishida: "He is a well-rounded player."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/29/20260429-OHT1I51602-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Comeback victory gives them a season-high seven wins above .500... Manager Mamoru Kishida: "fielder really came back and helped me out."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/29/20260429-OHT1I51587-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Kosei Yoshida walk-off pitch perfect 10th inning to secure a extra inning victory, earning his first win in 649 days. He commented, "It took quite a while."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/14/20260614-OHT1I51522-L.jpg)
