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

Lotte's outfielder Kyota Fujiwara hit a solo home run to right-center field on the very first pitch of the first inning, marking his third home run of the season.

Softbank Hawks 's starting pitcher was Hokuto, a right-handed pitcher who was the 8th pick in the 2025 developmental draft and was only registered as a regular player on the 1st, making his professional debut. On his first pitch, he slammed a 146 km/h fastball high and inside into the lucky zone in right-center field.

"Yesterday I was getting jammed by straight pitches, so I was determined to focus on straight pitches and swing hard from the first pitch. I'm glad we were able to score first," he commented.

Incidentally, this is the first time a home run has been hit on the first pitch since Canario (Seibu Lions) hit one against Orix Buffaloes (Belluna Dome) on May 24th. For Lotte, it's the first time in three years since Hiromi Oka hit one against The Giants (ZOZO Marine Stadium) on May 31st, 2023.

Furthermore, this was the first hitter Home Run the Lotte Marines in two years, the last being on August 4, 2012, when Hiromi Oka hit one against Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes (at Kyocera Dome Osaka).