◆Pacific Pacific League: Seibu vs Softbank (6th at Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions 's fourth-round draft pick, pitcher Keita Horikoshi from Tohoku Fukushi University, joined the first team's pre-game practice on the 6th.

The right-handed pitcher joined the Seibu Lions Seibu Lions in 2013 as the fourth pick in the draft, after graduating from Hanasaki Tokuei High School and Tohoku Fukushi University. Although unofficial, he boasts a top speed of 164 km/h for his fastball. Originally from Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture, he is a huge Seibu Lions Lions fan, having been a member of their fan club from the third grade of elementary school until partway through junior high school. "It's truly an emotional experience. The view from the stands and the view from mound are completely different, so I think if I can give dreams and hope to the next generation of children, that will be my way of giving back," he says with sparkling eyes.

Draft pick #1 Kojima (Meiji University) and Draft pick #2 Iwaki (Chuo University) are already playing key roles in the first team. Draft pick #3 Akiyama (Chukyo University) is currently adjusting in the farm team but has already made his first-team debut and is now a long-awaited promotion to the first team. He said, "Seeing my同期 (teammates from the same draft class) doing well has been an inspiration, and it made me feel like I had to get there as soon as possible. I've been able to come here early, so I'm going to make the most of this opportunity. I just want to do my job."

This spring, due to an upper body condition issue, he started the second and third team camp in Haruno, Kochi, and made regular season debut on April 26 against DeNA (at Belluna Dome).