On March 18, 2025, the first day of the Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament, Hanamaki Higashi High School and Ken University Takasaki High School emerged victorious, showcasing extraordinary talent and resilience on the field.
Hanamaki Higashi faced off against Komekotogakuen High School, dominating the game with a decisive score of 10-2, thereby securing their place in the second round of the prestigious tournament. The team quickly asserted its strength, scoring three runs in the first inning through timely hits, including impressive contributions from key players like Shifumi Akama and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
After conceding one run to Komekotogakuen, Hanamaki Higashi didn’t slow down. Yamazaki struck again with another timely two-base hit during the third inning, reaffirming Hanamaki’s dominance. With the scoreboard swiftly stacking up, even Morishita joined the score, increasing the lead with another timely hit.
Kohei Morishita, the father of standout player Yuho Morishita, attended the game, enduring personal hardships as his ancestral home had recently been devastated by wildfire. Yet, he beamed with pride, declaring, “I’m proud to see my son perform so well. I hope this brings courage and positivity to others watching.” His presence on the bleachers, expressing joy through high-fives, echoed the emotional stakes of the match.
The game also highlighted the strategic brilliance of Hanamaki Higashi's coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, who praised his team’s aggressive batting performance. “Despite the rainy days limiting our practice before the tournament, the players excelled with 14 hits and ten runs,” he said, attributing their success to their well-planned approach against the opposing pitcher, known for his adept use of breaking balls. Sasaki acknowledged the challenge posed by their second-round competitor, Ninohe Gakuen High School, noting they have an impressive pitcher but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to minimize runs.
On the other part of the tournament, Ken University Takasaki High School engaged in a tense battle against Meitoku Gijuku High School, culminating in a dramatic 3-1 victory after ten innings, thanks to the tiebreaker. The pitchers showcased their talents, with Ayumu Ikezaki from Meitoku Gijuku managing to strike out seven batters and keeping scores low through the majority of the game.
The tight matchup saw Ikezaki allowing the first run after conceding to Uchino during the fourth inning but exhibited remarkable skill thereafter. His counterpart, Akiyoshi Shimo of Ken University, faced similar hurdles, allowing one run after surrendering a timely hit to Kaito Fujimori, but the overall pitching duel remained strong.
Both pitchers performed excellently, demonstrating solid control throughout the game—Shimo ending up allowing just one run on three hits, showcasing resilience till the last inning. Following the ninth, the game ventured to extra innings, where Ken University Takasaki took the lead with two runs scored by Kurihara Tomoki’s timely hit.
With the game hanging precariously, Shimo showcased exceptional tactical pitching, stopping Meitoku during the tenth inning with no hits allowed, ensuring Takasaki claimed victory. Despite their loss, Ikezaki's efforts proved commendable, marking him as a player to watch, even as the team fell short of extending their championship run.
The completion of these matches not only highlights the talent present at this year’s Senbatsu tournament but also the emotional investments, personal stories, and spirited rivalries connecting players, families, and fans.
