◇ Fukuoka Softbank vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 19th Round (15th, MIZUHO PayPay Dome)

​Fukuoka Softbank Riku Watanabe players recorded their first Home Run in four years.

In the bottom of the third inning, trailing one run, with one out and runner scoreless. count Despite being down 2-2, he held on due to fouls and skillfully scooped up the breaking ball inside on the seventh pitch. The ball soared high into the right home run terrace. It was a valuable game-tying run.

Watanabe made his first-team debut in 2022, recording 3 Home Run. However, he did not appear in the first team for two more years afterward, and in 2025, he played 24 games without hitting homers. This season, with the addition of Yudai Yamamoto, the catcher competition has intensified, but can he continue to showcase his batting strength?

◇ Watanabe Player Comments
"The one I hit was slider. I was able to hold on and respond well. I'm glad I became a home run on the first team stage in a while. I'll do my best to somehow take the lead from here."

Text by Minagi Niwa