◆Tokyo Shin-Daigaku Baseball Spring League, Week 6, Day 3: Ryutsu Keizai University 8–0 Kyoei University (May 11, at TOKIWA Stadium Ryugasaki)
Kyoei University, who had been on the brink of winning their sixth overall title and first in four seasons since spring 2024, fell to Ryutsu Keizai University. The championship decider will now be pushed to the final week starting on May 16.
Starter Natsuki Sato (4th year, Komaba Gakuen) found himself in trouble in the fourth inning with the game scoreless, loading the bases with no outs on a hit and a walk. A throwing error on a bunt in front of the mound allowed the first run to score. After giving up an RBI single to left-center with runners on second and third and no outs, he was pulled from the game. The relief pitchers were unable to stop the momentum as Ryutsu Keizai plated four runs in that inning to seize control, adding two more in the fifth and ninth innings. The Kyoei lineup was shut out by opposing starter Soichiro Matsuda (2nd year, Hiroshima Shinjo), managing only six hits. After winning the first game of the series on May 9, Kyoei suffered consecutive losses, dropping their first points of the season.
Starting on May 16, they will face Tokyo International University in a decisive battle for the league title and a berth in the All-Japan University Baseball Championship (June 8–14 at Jingu Stadium and Tokyo Dome). Vice-captain Kazunaga Yamaya (4th year, Honjo Daiichi), who hit the team’s first hit and only extra-base hit—a triple to left-center—expressed determination for the crucial game: “My role as the leadoff hitter is to create opportunities through steals and other means. Last year, we lost a game when we needed just one more win. So this year, we’re focused on that one more win, and I want to battle hard next week.”
