◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Nippon-Ham (22nd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Nippon-Ham On the 22nd, Ryohei Hosokawa infielder congratulated his alma mater, Chiben Wakayama (Koshien), on its championship victory.

After defeating Kenta Takasaki, the team won the summer championship for the fourth time. "I think this team has gone through a long and difficult period, and it was a tough start after losing in the quarterfinals (in Wakayama Prefecture last fall). So, winning after overcoming such a difficult time was a great feeling. I think the players were rewarded, and it was a moment of relief for the whole team, including the coach," he said happily.

On this day, I watched the game at our team hotel in Chiba Prefecture before the game against Lotte (ZOZO).“There were plays like ‘Koshien’ where we’d get a ‘squeeze’ out, or conversely, we’d score a ‘squeeze,’ or execute a bunt shift—I think there were many games where what we normally practice came through exactly as it should, and where our various preparations paid off. Personally, as I watched, I felt there were many moments that made me think it was all worth the effort,” he said.

He also received a direct message from manager Shinjo during the game. "Nakaya-san also played with the boss (at Hanshin Tigers), so I think that's why. When we made it to the finals, he sent me a message and told me to tell Manager Nakaya that he was expecting great things from me, so I think he was cheering for us." The DM arrived in the 8th inning when they were trailing by one run, with one out and runners on second and third base. "At the moment we took the lead and had runners on second and third base, he sent me a message saying, 'Do a two-run squeeze,' so squeeze on the first pitch and replied, 'You did it,'" he revealed.

Manager Shinjo updated his Instagram Stories, congratulating Manager Nakatani, with whom he sweated together during The Tigers days, saying, "Congratulations on the amazing championship," and also expressed his expectations for Hosokawa, saying, "I'm sure Hosokawa will pull off squeeze today."