On May 23, the seventh match between Fukuoka Softbank and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham held in MIZUHO PayPay Dome saw Fukuoka Softbank win 11-1. Notably, manager Hiroki Kokubo achieved his 200th career win in this win.

Fukuoka Softbank The Haru Matsumoto pitcher of the starting pitcher gave up the first run in the top of the second inning with one out bases loaded on a sacrifice fly by Castro. In the top of the third inning, he escaped a double play crisis with runners on first and third and one out, and after that, he kept tightening pitch at key moments, leaving the mound in the fifth inning with one runs.

In the bottom of the third inning, trailing by one run, with two outs and runners on first and second, Kensuke Kondo player hit a timely hit to tie the game. Then, Yuki Yanagita hit a go-ahead two-run single to take the lead, followed by Yudai Yamamoto with another RBI hit, scoring four runs with two outs and successfully taking the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kondo hit a two-run single; in the bottom of the seventh, Yudai Shoji and Tomoya Masaki scored three runs; in the bottom of the eighth, Isami Nomura and Ukyo Shuto scored two runs, greatly extending their lead to 11-1.

From the sixth inning onward, four pitcher each connected a inning without runs, ending the game 11-1. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Achieved seven consecutive wins, undefeated against the opponent. Haru Matsumoto pitcher earned his third win with 89 pitches over 5 innings, 7 hit, 1 Walk, and 1 runs. He allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base for four consecutive inning from the second inning but closer to at least runs. The lineup has 16 hit and has scored double-digit runs in two consecutive games.

In the losing Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, starting Haruki Hosono pitcher pitched 3 innings with 62 pitches, 4 hit, 2 Walk, and 4 runs pulled. The lineup recorded double-digit hit but managed only sacrifice fly runs scored. Notably, Reyes marked 3 hit.
　
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Japan ● Haruki Hosono-Takumi Yamamoto Ryusei Kawano-Tsubasa Namatame-Daiki Shimizu-Kota Yazawa
So ○ Haru Matsumoto-Taiga Kamichatani- Osuna - Hernandez -Ryusei Oe

Text by Kanako Fukushima