Softbank's Tomoya Masaki hits a walk-off, and pinch runner Ihine's good base run also stands out.

(27th, Professional Baseball Japan Series Game 3 Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 2-1 Yokohama DeNA BayStars)

He jumped into the circle of joy that formed at home plate. The rough blessing feels good. It was Softbank's Tomoya Masaki's swing that won the match in three consecutive extra innings.

1 out in the 10th inning. "All I was thinking about was swinging the sweet ball as hard as I could." 3rd ball from 2 balls. Don't miss the 152kg two-seam that came in the middle. The shot that flew into the left field terrace for two consecutive games became his first walk-off home run.

5th year as a pro. The slugger, who hit 28 home runs, significantly breaking his career-high, remains committed to listening to the advice of those around him. Kondo's advice was a big factor in his home run that day.

Game 2 of the final stage of the climax series against Nippon-Ham. When he hit a double in the third inning, Kondo said to him:

“I think I should use the head (of the bat) a little more.” With those words, the ``gears'' began to fit together.

It was a match I really wanted to win. Two years ago, in the Japan Series against DeNA, they won two in a row and lost four in a row. I realized how scary it can be in a short battle, where you can lose your flow at the slightest chance.

"(The opponent) gains momentum after one win. These three games were all tough matches where we didn't know who would win," Masaki said.

In the 9th inning, with two outs and second base, chasing one point, Taisei Makihara carried the ball to the right field, and pinch runner Ihine Itua made a good run from second base. ``Ihine, who was a pinch runner in his first appearance in the Japan Series (his first appearance), has come back well,'' said manager Yuki Kokubo. This led to Masaki's shot.

He has taken the title of number one in Japan for the second consecutive year. The joy in Fukuoka is right in front of us, but we will not let our guard down until the end.

I ran as fast as I could

Ihine (Seo) With two outs in the 9th inning, he entered the game as a pinch runner for the runner on second base, and Dai Makihara's timely hit brought him to home plate to tie the score. "I was quite nervous, but I ran as hard as I could. I'm glad it was safe."