2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 1: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (14th, Mizuho PayPay)
Softbank Hawks outfielder Ukyo Shuto started as the number two hitter and center fielder, but he made a painful mistake in the third inning while trailing by two points.
With one out, he caught a curveball from Nippon-Ham's Yamazaki and reached base with a hit to left field. However, with two outs, he was caught off base by Yamazaki's pickoff attempt and was declared out for a three-foot baseline violation after a rundown.
A speed specialist who recorded 30 stolen bases this season and won his fifth stolen base title, marking his fourth consecutive year. In this instance, he was deceived by the left-hander's technique of holding his set position for a slightly longer duration.
![[Scoreboard] Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Nippon-Ham] A painful opening run conceded: Starter Sachiya Yamasaki allows a timely hit to Taisei Makihara in the first inning, giving up runs after two outs with no runners on.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/14/20261014-OHT1I51345-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Taisei Makihara hits an RBI single off Nippon-Ham's Sachiya Yamasaki! Taking the lead after creating a chance with two outs in the first inning.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/14/20261014-OHT1I51338-L.jpg)
![[Nippon-Ham] Second-year player Leo Shibata selected for the starting lineup as the 'No. 7 first baseman.' The in-form Yuki Nomura bats fourth. Can they conquer the difficult opponent, Moinelo of the Softbank Hawks? The starting pitcher is Sachiya Yamasaki.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/14/20261014-OHT1I51307-L.jpg)
