◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Lotte (April 4th, Mizuho PayPay)

Lotte produced a big inning with two hitter and 11 players attacking in a row, scoring seven runs in one go. Softbank Hawks, the right-hander who was 8th pick in the 2025 developmental draft and just registered under the roster on the 1st, Hokuto (Hokuto Oyama) = Chuo University semi-hardball = was showered with the 'baptism of a pro.'

Kyota Fujiwara (outfielder), leading off the first inning, hit a solo home run to right-center field—his third of the season—on the very first pitch, giving the Lotte Marines the early lead. In the second inning, with two outs and bases loaded on base, Fujiwara and Misho Nishikawa each drew consecutive walk-off walks Walk, adding two runs.They kept up the offensive pressure, scoring seven runs in the inning on three consecutive RBI hits: a two-run single to left field by No. 3 batter Koki Yamaguchi, an RBI single to left field by No. 4 batter Toshiya Sato doble, and a two-run single to left field by No. 5 batter Soto. This knocked Hokuto out of the game.

Lotte has a record of 35 wins, 34 losses, and 2 ties this season, giving them a "positive win-loss record" of 1, but they are currently in 5th place in the league, a frustrating situation. On this day, they gave their starting left-handed pitcher Long a large lead early in the game.