Lotte pitcher Koshiro Hiroike (23) expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming game against Softbank Hawks on the 3rd (at Mizuho PayPay Dome), saying, "I will pitch with no regrets, making sure to get off to a good start!"

The right-hander, in his second season, has a record of 2 wins and 3 losses with ERA 3.30 in 11 games (9 starts). He earned his second win against Hiroshima on May 28th (at Mazda Stadium), but finished June with 2 losses in 3 games. He has no wins or losses against Softbank Hawks this season in 2 games (1 start). In their last encounter on May 8th, he gave up 4 hit 3 runs in 6 innings, and the decision was not made.

As of the end of the 1st, the team has a record of 35 wins, 33 losses, and 3 ties in 71 games. If they win the first game of the series on the 3rd, they will have a winning record of 3 games above .500, which would be their highest of the season, so Hiroike's performance will be crucial.