◇ Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs. Fukuoka Softbank 12th Game (14th, ES CON FIELD)

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham 's starter, Koki Kitayama pitcher, pitched 7 innings and runs. He created pitcher games with his powerful pitching.

He caused runners on second and third from the first inning, but managed to overcome it with three struck out, including two consecutive batters. In the top of the second inning, he retired all three batters in order, including two consecutive struck out, showing his pitch from the start. In the top of the third, with one out and runners on second and third, he retired Kensuke Kondo and Ryoya Kurihara on infield grounders.

In the top of the fifth inning with neither team scoring, Tomoya Masaki allowed the go-ahead solo home run but did not allow any additional runs. He threw 117 pitches over seven innings, allowing hit of 4, BB 1, and strike out 1 of 1, including 1 Home Run allowed, runs 1 of 8. Responding to Kitayama pitcher 's strong pitching, the team's offense tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the 7th.

Text by Ayako Kikuchi