"I'm glad I got to play against the players I've watched since elementary school and get to play professional baseball." Nippon-Ham 'Leo Shibata pitches brilliantly to prevent the magic number from being lit | Pacific League

６回から登板した柴田。プロ初ホールドを挙げた（カメラ・上村　尚平）

Pacific League Nippon-Ham 8-3 Softbank (23rd, ES CON FIELD)

The second-place Nippon-Ham Fighters won consecutive games against the first-place Softbank Hawks, preventing them from lighting the magic number for the second day in a row and narrowing the gap to 1.5 games. Two-way player and first-round draft pitcher Leo Shibata (19) of Fukuoka University Ohori High School, who pitched as the second reliever from the sixth inning, responded to the promotion from manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (53), pitching at 154 km/h, tying his personal best, and allowing only one runs in 2 2/3 innings, earning his first professional hold. The team’s lead is now 25, the most this season. This win will give them momentum to make a comeback and win the championship.

His soaring fastballs landed one after the other in the mitt. Shibata took to mound for the second time in the pros, starting in the sixth inning with the score at 5-2. His second pitch to leadoff batter Yamakawa was at 154 km/h, tying his career-high. He finished with slider on the outside corner, forcing a grounder out to Home Run king. “I’m glad I got to play against the players I’ve watched since elementary school and make it into pro baseball.” He pitched 2 2/3 innings as reliever for the first time, allowing only four hit one runs. His first pro hold helped prevent Softbank from lighting the magic number for the second day in a row. He flashed a fresh smile.

It was a fruitful 37 pitches. In the sixth and seventh innings, closer hitter to six, but in the eighth inning, which was the second round, he allowed three consecutive hits to Kondo, Yamakawa, and Makihara Dai. “Top-class players are on a whole different level,” said five-time Best Nine player Kondo, who perfectly deflected his 152 km/h fastball to center fielder field. “It makes me laugh. It didn’t work that well. I’m glad he hit it. His bat looks light, and I want to bat like that too.” He also made a discovery that only a two-way player can make.

Manager Shinjo explained the reason for his big promotion at this crucial moment. “Manager Kokubo and I decided Shibata’s life at the draft meeting. I thought it would be meaningful if I drew the lottery and had him pitch in his first year against Softbank.” At the draft meeting in October last year, two teams competed for him, and he personally drew the lottery. He really wanted to pit him against last season’s champions. “I can only have this experience now, at 19 years old. I’m sure there are rules from the front office, but I forced myself to go for it.” Even so, he laughed and said, “My heart was about six centimeters out” at the tense situation. Although he will be removed from the roster for the time being, he will be with the first team and on standby as reliever.

The third round on the 24th was a showdown between the aces Ito and Moinelo. “If we get two, we want to make it three. Tomorrow it’ll probably be 2-1 (1-2),” said the coach, predicting the score. Riding on the momentum, they planned to sweep the match. (Kawakami Haruki)

◆Shibata Leo: Born April 18, 2006, in Iizuka, Fukuoka. 19 years old. Started playing baseball in his second year at Shonai Elementary School, and played for the Iizuka Leopards while at Shonai Junior High School. At Fukuoka University Ohori, he was on the bench from the summer of his first year and became the ace from the fall of his second year. In the summer of his third year of high school, he lost 2-5 to Nishinippon Junior College in the prefectural tournament final, and did not play at Koshien. Hit a total of 19 Home Run in high school. Joined Nippon-Ham Fighters as the first pick in the 2012 draft. Fastest pitcher is 154 km/h. His idol is Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers. Nickname is “Leo.” He is 187 cm tall and weighs 87 kg. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed. Annual salary is 8.8 million yen.