Urawa Jitsugyo has made history by achieving their first victory in the prestigious Koshien tournament, defeating Zeze Gakuen with a commanding score of 3-0. This win not only marks a significant milestone for the team, but it also cements their place in the ongoing tournament after a remarkable performance on the field.
The game, held on March 22, 2025, showcased Urawa Jitsugyo's prowess as they capitalized on critical opportunities. The defining moment came in the fifth inning when, with two outs and runners on first and third, Yuto Sasaki hit a timely single, scoring the first point for his team. Following this, Haruhi Mishima delivered a crucial two-base hit, allowing Sasaki and the runner at first to cross the plate, bringing the total to three runs for Urawa Jitsugyo.
Gaku Ishido, the ace pitcher for Urawa Jitsugyo, delivered an impressive performance, pitching the entire nine innings and conceding only six hits while achieving a shutout. Known for his unique pitching form, where he lifts his leg high before delivering the pitch, Ishido's strategies worked exceptionally well. He effectively mixed his pitches in the 120 km/h range, including a well-utilized changeup, which was pivotal in keeping the Zeze Gakuen batters off-balance.
Ishido reflected on his performance, stating, "Today, my fastball was good from the start. I focused on the catcher's mitt and was able to control my pitches well." After securing their first victory at Koshien, he expressed ambition for further success, aiming for a place in the tournament's best eight. "We have been working towards this goal, and I hope to continue to help the team win," he added.
Urawa's manager, Masahiro Hashikawa, shared his pride in the team's performance, commenting, "I’m happy we could win, as it was hard to visualize winning against such a good team." He praised Ishido's pitching strategy, highlighting his ability to effectively mix pitches and control the game flow.
On the other side, Zeze Gakuen, who had returned to Koshien for the first time in eight years, faced challenges throughout the match. Their ace pitcher Haruki Nagasaki was unable to maintain control, and the team struggled to connect with the ball effectively, as stated by their captain, Seito Fujimoto. "I feel responsible for not being able to get our hitters in sync for solid at-bats," he lamented, highlighting the team's missed opportunities.
Zeze's manager, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, reflected on the team's approach, noting, "We were able to capitalize on the opportunities in the beginning, but we couldn’t maintain that momentum against their pitcher." He expressed disappointment at the outcome but emphasized the importance of learning from this experience for the future.
As the game progressed, it became evident that Urawa Jitsugyo had developed a winning strategy, while Zeze Gakuen could not find its rhythm. Despite a strong start, the inability to capitalize on offensive chances ultimately led to their downfall. Urawa had clearly come prepared, with Ishido's exceptional skill propelling them to victory.
The significance of this win cannot be understated for Urawa Jitsugyo. This victory at Koshien represents not just a win in the standings but a boost in their confidence as they look ahead to subsequent rounds. With a goal of reaching the best eight in the tournament, the team is now riding a wave of momentum and optimism.
As Ishido and his team prepare for the next match, the anticipation surrounding Urawa Jitsugyo’s run in the tournament grows. Fans are eager to see how far the team can go, especially now that they have tasted success at Koshien. It is a journey of determination and ambition, promising an exciting continuation of their campaign.
