The Nippon Ham Fighters celebrated a significant victory over the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, winning 8-3 at the Mizuho PayPay Dome on March 16, 2025. This match was part of their three-game series, following one previous loss and one draw. The Fighters had entered the game determined to secure their first victory against the Hawks and did not disappoint.
SoftBank's starting pitcher Naozumi Uwasawa faced the Fighters' aggressive lineup right from the start. The Nippon Ham offensive showcased their prowess, beginning with Yoshio Yoshida, who had transferred from SoftBank during the off-season. He stepped to the plate during the first inning and delivered immediately by hitting a sacrifice fly to the right, bringing home the first run of the game.
Riding the momentum, the Fighters continued to impose their will offensively. The second inning saw Kazuhiro Yazawa capitalize on another scoring opportunity, hitting a timely hit to center field and effectively adding two more runs to the board. Not wanting to be outdone, Takayuki Umeno followed up by securing another timely hit, again to center, bringing yet another pair of runs, and significantly extending Nippon Ham’s lead.
Taiga Ito, the Fighters' starting pitcher, demonstrated exceptional performance on the mound. He held the SoftBank lineup scoreless through the first four innings, pitching two consecutive three-up, three-down innings after allowing base runners early on. His command was evident as he confidently handled the pressure, especially when he faced the bases loaded situation with no outs during the fifth inning.
It was during this pivotal moment in the fifth frame where Ito truly showcased his talent. After allowing back-to-back hits and facing the pressure of having the bases loaded, he struck out Kawatani and got Zhou Dong to ground out, before completing the inning with another strikeout against Kondo. Ito described the experience as reflective of “a typical pattern” for him when encounters are intense, saying, "Last year was also like this, a typical pattern for me when I'm not doing well," but he successfully escaped the bases-loaded challenge without conceding any runs.
Remarkably, Ito pitched five innings in total, yielding four hits, issuing one walk, and collecting six strikeouts, performing flawlessly against hitters he would face later, on April 1, during the home opener. His fastball reached speeds of 152 kilometers per hour, and he experimented with his newly developed pitch termed the "Kick Change," which he felt was progressing well.
The Fighters’ bullpen did face challenges, leading to some excitement for the fans. Kiyomiya, who entered as the relief pitcher for the seventh inning, allowed the lead-off batter to reach base on balls and then succumbed to two additional hits, leading to two runs. Despite this, the Fighters hit back. With the game still within their grasp, they maintained their intensity and displayed their capacity for offense.
Another highlight for Nippon Ham was the explosive performance by Nakasho Manto, who belted out a two-run home run during the ninth inning, sealing their victory at 8-3. This additional scoring burst showcased their resilience, even when faced with setbacks.
For Ito, the win was not just about the score; it was also about setting the stage for his upcoming home debut as he prepares for the season, which will officially kick off on April 1, 2025, at Es Con Field Hokkaido.
After the game, Ito reflected on how important this match had been for him. He noted, "Practicing against the SoftBank lineup was significantly beneficial for my preparations for the home opener. They were also probably testing their lineup during this open series, but for me, it was good preparation. It was quite enjoyable, even if it was strange facing them on the mound instead of as a teammate."
While other pitchers, like Matsuka, proved instrumental on the day, working efficiently during their time on the mound, critics pointed to the early innings and the need to tighten defensive strategies and pitching tactics. Nonetheless, Ito emphasized, “I’m steadily preparing physically and mentally for the opener.” His resolve is to avoid the mistakes of last season and present stronger performances.
Now, as the Fighters look forward to their upcoming games, they can draw both confidence and strategy from this match as they transition fully from spring training to regular-season gameplay. Their next challenge is set against the Yakult Swallows on March 23, which Ito highlighted as his last tune-up before the games count, signaling he is both ready and eager for the competitive season.
The victory not only brought joy to the Fighters’ fans but also solidified the team's confidence heading toward the home opener. With Taiga Ito leading the charge, the Nippon Ham Fighters are prepared for what promises to be an exhilarating 2025 season.