Game RECAP March 28/2025 Hanshin vs Hiroshima Carp | TORA-Ho!🐯

RECAP

Opening Day Victory at Mazda Stadium

🏟️ A Shift in Venue — Koshien Unavailable

Normally, the top three teams from the previous year have the right to host the opening game at their home stadium. However, the Hanshin Tigers’ home stadium, Koshien Stadium, is currently being used for the Spring High School Baseball Tournament (today featured two semi-final matches). Therefore, the opening game was held at the Hiroshima Carp’s home stadium, Mazda Stadium.

💥 Early Firepower — Sato Goes Deep Again

The starting pitcher for Hanshin was ace Murakami, while Hiroshima countered with their ace, Morishita. A pitcher’s duel was expected, but in the first inning, Sato, who gained worldwide recognition with his home run against the LAD (Los Angeles Dodgers), hit another similar towering home run into the right-field stands, giving Tigers the lead. However, with Morishita on the mound for the opposition, the game turned into a pitcher’s battle with few scoring opportunities for Carp.

🔥 Breaking the Deadlock in the 8th

As the game approached its climax, with the next run becoming crucial, Chikamoto hit a double in the top of the 8th inning with no outs. Despite Nakano and Sato’s outs, Morishita walked a batter, creating a golden opportunity to score. With the chance to score the winning run, the former cleanup hitter Ohyama, who never hesitated to declare, “I’ll take responsibility,” delivered a timely hit, adding a valuable insurance run.

🎯 Securing the Win

The momentum continued, and Maegawa followed with another timely hit, extending the lead to four runs. It seemed Murakami might pitch a shutout, but in the 9th inning, Carp had a chance with runners on first and second base with two outs. With some close calls and Murakami’s pitch count rising, closer Iwasaki was brought in for a sure save. He quickly struck out the batter to end the threat, securing the save. Hanshin Tigers won the opening game.

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