Seiko Gakuin is set to make its long-awaited return to the 97th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, which begins on March 18, 2025, after a three-year hiatus. The team, having previously clinched the championship in the Tohoku regional tournament last fall, encountered a humiliating loss in the Meiji Jingu Tournament when it faced Toyo University Himeji. This shocking 0-10 defeat during the first match left the players in deep reflection and committed to a rigorous training regime.
The stark reality of their defeat took its toll—the players were in shock for a couple of days following their return home. "After that game, I couldn't move for a day or two due to the shock," reflected pitcher Teppei Ohyama. Teammate Ren Kanno echoed his sentiment, stating, "I was frustrated after trying to change the momentum, but I ended up only feeling regret." This experience led the athletes to ponder what was missing in their game: strength.
They realized that enhancing their power to drive the ball further was crucial. Captain Takuchi Takeuchi said, "The pressure of the swing was entirely different. We need more power to hit the ball farther." In response to the low-rebound bats they have been using since last spring’s introduction to high school baseball, Seiko Gakuin honed their approach to focus on making low, fast line drives aimed at the center of the field.
Approximately four days after their disheartening loss, the team reignited their training. They prominently displayed their previous game score—0-10—on their practice scoreboard as a motivational tool during their long tee hitting exercises. Their training included intense physical workouts, with players consuming hearty meals of rice and pasta to gain strength. They also engaged in powerlifting arcs, including bench presses, to build muscle.
As the tournament nears, their focus returns to refining core skills, particularly hitting solid and powerful line drives. Masayoshi Kikuchi, the only player with tournament experience from the previous summer's championship, expressed his ambitions for redemption, stating, "I’ve become capable of hitting the ball further when I connect with the bat’s sweet spot. I'm aiming to leverage my hitting back to the center as we look for revenge."
Ohyama and Kanno, their ace pitchers, have worked tirelessly on increasing the speed of their pitches and the effectiveness of their breaking balls through additional body conditioning. Ohyama declared confidently, "I'll be throwing balls that are difficult to hit, setting the pace for the game," as he showcased his readiness for the challenges ahead.
Seiko Gakuin boasts a proud history of participating in Koshien, with 25 total appearances—six in spring tournaments and 19 in summer competitions. Their best records include reaching the quarterfinals in 2013 and making it to the semifinals during summer 2022. Coach Tomoya Saito noted, “This team has become known for hitting power. We want to engage in low-scoring close matches and aim for victory by narrow margins.”
The team has fortified their determination, with Captain Takeuchi stressing the aim to embody Seiko Gakuin's resilience in every pitch and swing. "We want to play persistently and diligently for each ball. Our goal hasn’t changed: we aspire to be the best in Japan." This unwavering spirit underscores the commitment and focus of Seiko Gakuin as they prepare for their much-anticipated return to the national spotlight.
