Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher chief coach and head coordinator Shinji Kurano gave high praise to pitcher Yugo Maeda, who is currently on a 10-game winning streak to start the season, on the 10th. Maeda returned to Fukuoka by air that day and practiced pitcher at Mizuho PayPay Dome. Maeda, who achieved his first double-digit win in the game against Seibu on the Seibu Lions (Belluna Dome), also worked up a sweat with light exercises such as catch practice.

The left-handed pitcher, in his third year out of high school, has an undefeated record of 10 wins in 13 appearances so far. ERA of 1.75 is also an astonishing figure. Coach Kurano said that his greatest strength is "the way he thinks on mound and his competitive instincts, things that can't be taught."

Having represented Japan since junior high school, and winning Koshien in the spring of his second year at Osaka Toin, the left-handed pitcher, who also contributed to Japan's victory at the U18 World Cup as a high school national team player, has cultivated remarkable skills. Coach Kurano praised him again, saying, "Including the environment in which he grew up, I think he possesses some truly extraordinary qualities." His 10 wins tie him for the league lead. "Honestly, I can't think of anything to say but praise," and "It far exceeds my expectations," Coach Kurano added, indicating that the 10 consecutive wins were quite a shock for him as well.