◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (23rd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up has been announced, with infielder Kenta Imamiya starting at second base, batting eighth, for the first time in nine games. infielder Taisei Makihara will be on the bench for the first time in seven games. Starting mound Haru Matsumoto will be making his first appearance since the game Seibu Lions on May 12th (at Mizuho PayPay Dome). This game will see manager Kokubo reach his 200th career win, and their opponent is Nippon-Ham have won the first six games of the season. pitcher will be hoping to extend their winning streak and secure their first series win in four series.
Below is Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up
1 (1) Masaki
2 (Central) Shuto
3 (left) Kondo
4 (3) Kurihara
5 (DH) Yanagida
6 (Catcher) Yu Yamamoto
7 (Right) Megumi Yamamoto
8 (2B) Imamiya
9 (play) Shoko
(Throwing) Haru Matsumoto
![[Video] His aura is incredible! Tateishi's first professional extra-base hit](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/22/20260522-OHT1I51318-L.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Softbank Hawks] General Manager Sugihiko Mikasa commented on draft pick #1 Rintaro Sasaki, whose entry negotiations are now open: "I think it's possible that he might come to Fukuoka."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/23/20260523-OHT1I51087-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Alexander Armenta registered as a regular player: "I want to be a player who can achieve good results." number will be "34," the same as the Mexican legend.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/23/20260523-OHT1I51061-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Yuta Yamamoto, who joined the team in a trade from DeNA, Home Run for two different teams in the same season on his father's and sister's birthdays, becoming the 11th player in history to do so. "It felt similar to my first professional Home Run. It was definitely different from usual."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/22/20260522-OHT1I51529-L.jpg)
