◇ Orix vs. Tohoku Rakuten 1st round (28th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix of the Ryo Ota The player hit the first Pacific League.

Ota started the season starting line-up as "No.6 second baseman". In the bottom of the 2nd inning, with no runs scored by either team and one out, he hit a straight ball to the left field bleachers off the leadoff batter. Takahisa Hayakawa pitcher Ota hit a fastball into the left field stands with one out in the bottom of the second inning with no outs.

Ota played in 91 games last season, the most of his career. Home Run RBI In his seventh year, expectations are high for a further leap forward.

Comments from Ota
I hit a straight ball. I had a good feeling about it, so the moment I hit it, I thought it would reach the stands! （I'm happy that it was the first run of the season, and I'll keep my head up and do my best after this!

Text by Sosho Sugimori