◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 5-2 Orix Buffaloes (25th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks ・Go Suzuki made up his mind. His turn at bat came in the 6th inning with the score tied 2–2 and one out: bases loaded. He grounded out to second on the first pitch against Wakatsuki: cutter double play. Immediately afterward, the offense scored three runs to take the lead, and the win came rolling in.This marked the third time in history that a rookie recorded a one-pitch professional debut win—the first since his teammate Otsu achieved the feat on June 18, 2023, against Hanshin Tigers (Koshien). “I didn’t know it had been since Otsu. If I could get something nice…” he said, asking a senior teammate with whom he’s close for a gift.

He joined the team last year as the third overall pick in the draft, expected to be an immediate runs. Recently, his reputation has been rising, and pitcher chief coach and head coordinator Kurano had told him, "We'll even put him in during winning games." He lived up to expectations, pitching nine consecutive scoreless games. "I want to become pitcher that makes people think, 'When he comes out to pitch, we can't score,'" he said, revealing his endless desire for improvement.

Manager Kokubo nodded in agreement. "I want them to have a goal of becoming a winning pattern." With the rookie right-hander's ability to put out fires, they are now only 1.5 games behind the league-leading Seibu Lions. The momentum of the young Hawks has become indispensable. (Tosei Moriguchi)

◆Gota Suzuki: Born August 31, 2003, in Shiga Prefecture. Age 22. After attending Tokai University Shizuoka Shoyo High School and Osaka University of Commerce, he joined Softbank Hawks in the 2025 draft as the 3rd pick. 175 cm, 86 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter.