◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Lotte (3rd, Mizuho PayPay)

He sharpened his concentration. Lotte Ryusei Terachi (20) swung sharply. In the fourth inning, he tied the gap by one run and still had a good opportunity with two outs and a runner on second. On the seventh pitch after full count, he reacted to Stewart's low slider. The ball rolled to center field. Naonori Yasuda runner second base slid home with a headsliding shot. At one point, Terachi showed a satisfied look on his go-ahead RBI hit.

"With two outs, Yasuda created a chance for me, and even though I was in a tough spot, I managed to hang on and hit it to center fielder in a good way, so I'm glad."

As Terachi commented, Yasuda's hit to right-center field struck wall, but it didn't come back. The ball landed perfectly in the gap between wall, resulting in a rare ground-rule doble. As the stadium erupted in commotion, the 20-year-old captivated the crowd with his bat.

Terachi's main position is catcher, but starting line-up at third base on this day. He hasn't shown his true potential this season, with a batting average in the .100s, but the batting prowess that led the Japanese high school national team to a world championship as their leadoff hitter in his third year at Meitoku Gijuku is no joke. There is certainly a glimmer of hope. It was a hit that gives us hope for the future.