◆ Dynamic performance in the big game! Mr. Tsuji said, "It was a game that you could say started with Shuto and ended with Shuto."
On the 8th, Softbank Hawks' Ukyo Shuto hit a two-run Home Run to take the lead in the first inning of the game against Nippon-Ham. Furthermore, in the 8th inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, his hit struck the right-field wall and bounced back, allowing him to return home. This became the 6th bases loaded inside-the-park Home Run in Pacific League history.
Shuto played a major role in both offense and defense, including a jumping catch near the right-center wall in the 3rd inning. On the Fuji TV ONE program 'Professional baseball News 2026' broadcast on the 8th, commentator Hatsuhiko Tsuji looked back and said, 'He is a great player. It was a game you could say started and ended with Shuto. His defense was wonderful, and he had 6 RBI.' Regarding the defense in the 3rd inning, he analyzed, 'He doesn't seem to fear the wall, and it doesn't feel like the ball will get past him. He obviously understands the cushion of the wall as well.' Furthermore, evaluating his hitting, he said, 'He is fast and bats lead-off, but he really has power. He is a hitter who could probably hit more if he actually aimed for Home Runs.' Regarding the bases loaded inside-the-park Home Run, he marveled, 'He wasn't even sprinting when he rounded first base. He is so fast that if he ran full speed from the start, he might have overtaken the lead runner.'
When MC Mitsuru Manaka said, "He's fast. I truly realized the terror of Shuto's legs once again," the other commentator, Akihiko Ohya, praised the great defense in the big game, saying, "This series against Nippon-Ham was a very significant set of games. While Nippon-Ham wanted to win them all, for the Softbank Hawks, it was a game they felt they should secure today. And that's when a big play emerges. He says he has confidence in his defense, but his excellent judgment shone even brighter than that." Manaka summarized, "It's been a long time since I've seen such a comfortable inside-the-park Home Run. The ball had hardly even made it back to the infield yet. It was wonderful."
☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"
