◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Rakuten Eagles (26th, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham infielder Naoki Arizono (23) hit his first professional Home Run. In his third at-bat in the fourth inning with two outs and a one-run lead, he connected with a 142 km/h fastball on the outside corner from Takinaka, sending it to the right-field bullpen for his first solo home run. The ball traveled 108 meters. "The moment I hit it, I thought, 'Did it go over?' and as I was running, I heard a roar of cheers and it felt great." Manager Shinjo pounded the dugout wall with both hands in excitement. The unfinished slugger, who joined the team in 2021 as the second overall pick in the draft from Chiba Gakugei High School, finally hit his first professional home run in his fifth year as a pro and his 58th at-bat.

He started the game as the leadoff hitter and third baseman, and in his first at-bat in the first inning, he created a scoring opportunity with doble to center field. In his second at-bat in the second inning with two outs and runners on first and third, he hit a timely single to center field. triple would hit the cycle.

◆Naoki Arizono: Born May 21, 2003, in Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture. Age 23. Started playing baseball in the second grade of elementary school, and played for Sakura Senior in Asahi Junior High School. At Chiba Gakugei High School, he excelled as a two-way Home Run, hitting a total of 70 home runs and throwing a fastball up to 148 km/h. Drafted in the second round in 2021 by Nippon-Ham Fighters. 185 cm, 104 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter.