On May 28th at 6 PM, the third game of the "Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026" between Hanshin Tigers and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will be held at Koshien Stadium.

[Head-to-head record] Hanshin Tigers (Central League 1st place) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (Pacific League 4th place): 0 wins, 2 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Hanshin Tigers: pitcher Rito Kinoshita, 3 games, 0 wins, 0 losses, ERA 5.40
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: pitcher Ren Fukushima 4 games, 1 win, 2 losses, ERA 3.28

This will be his first appearance in an interleague game in two years, since 2024. Ren Fukushima pitcher will face Hanshin Tigers for the first time. He has experience playing in the 2021 Spring National High School baseball Invitational Tournament while attending Hachinohe Nishi High School, but this will be his first appearance Koshien since turning professional. He will be looking to win this fresh pitching duel against Hanshin Tigers 's Rito pitcher, who will be making his first professional start.

With this card Daigo Kamikawahata The players are showing great effort both offensively and defensively. On the 26th, when he came in as a substitute, he made a diving catch in the bottom of the 9th inning to save a bases-bases loaded situation by catching a ball that looked like it would get through to right field. On the 27th, starting line-up started as the "number 7 batter and second baseman" and had his first multi-hit of the season with 2 hit in 4 At Bat bats. Will he be able to contribute to the team with his precise play in the third game of the series as well?

Text by Ayako Kikuchi