◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (18th, ES CON FIELD)

In the third inning, with the score tied and no outs and doble on first and second base, Softbank Hawks 's Kensuke Kondo hit a go-ahead two-run double to right-center field. "I was determined to make the most of the chance created by the consecutive hits from the first two batters," he said, extending his league-leading RBI RBI to 89, surpassing his career high of 87 set in 2023. He also played left defense for the first time in seven games, and in the third inning with no outs, he made a hustle play, sliding to catch a fly ball down the left field line.

Motoaki Watanabe, who coached Kondo at his alma mater, Yokohama High School, passed away on the 17th. Before the game, Kondo expressed his gratitude, saying, "He was a coach who helped me grow not only technically but also as a person, and I was able to get in through the general entrance exam. I am where I am today because of my three years at Yokohama High School." Kondo played soft baseball in junior high school and entered Yokohama High School through the general entrance exam, not through recommendation. He overcame fierce competition and played in games from his first year.