◇Fukuoka Softbank vs Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Round 24 (9th, MIZUHO PayPay Dome)

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham's Leo Shibata recorded his first professional hit.

Shibata made the starting line-up as the "No. 6 DH" and stepped into the batter's box in the top of the 2nd inning with one out and a runner on first. Successfully adjusting to the breaking ball from the opposing starter Naoyuki Uwasawa, the ball landed in front of the right fielder. In his first at-bat, he marked his first professional hit, expanding the scoring opportunity.

Shibata joined Hokkaido Nippon-Ham as the 2024 first-round draft pick from Fukuoka University Ohori High School. He made his professional debut as a pitcher and has posted a 2.19 ERA in 7 appearances this season. In the farm team, he has also demonstrated his ability as a hitter, showing his talent in both pitching and hitting with a .341 batting average, 5 Home Runs, and 17 RBIs in August.

◇Shibata's First Records
First Appearance/First Start: July 26, 2025 vs Chiba Lotte Marines
First At-bat: June 4, 2026 vs Hiroshima
First Hit: September 9, 2026 vs Fukuoka Softbank

Text by Aoi Nemoto