Tokyo Six University Baseball 2024 Fall League Match: Hodai University vs. Waseda University
Tokyo Six University Baseball 2024 Fall League Match vs. Waseda University
September 27, 2024 (Saturday), September 28 (Sunday)
Jingu Stadium
Hodai University is riding high after winning the fierce battle against Ritsumeikan University that reached the fourth round with a single shot from Matsushita Ayuka (3rd grade = Toin Gakuen). However, there is no time to relax as this weekend, this spring’s champion, Waseda University, will stand in the way of the Hodai Nine.
This Season’s League Schedule and Standings (as of the end of the second week)
Early War Prospects
The person expected to be the starter for the first game is Itsuki Ito (3rd year, Sendai Ikuei). He was a starter in seven of his eight pitches this spring, and is a complete-game pitcher who consistently throws seven or more innings. In the opening game of the fall, against Tohoku Taisen, he kept no runs in the 6th inning.
The key is whether they can defeat Waseda University ace Itsuki Ito.
Konan Miyagi (2nd year, Urawa Gakuin) is expected to be the starter for the second game. This spring, the sophomore left-hander played an important role in Game 2 and made a spectacular break. His weapon is his unique form that makes it difficult to see where the ball is coming from, and he was able to keep the ball scoreless in the 6th inning at this spring’s Law War.
Waseda University, Koshii. Will there be a Kisarazu Sogo High School classmate showdown with Yuki Nakanishi?
Waseda University’s batting lineup is strong. This spring’s top hitters Yudai Oze (3rd year = Teikyo), Hide Yamagata (4th year = Waseda Graduate School), home run king Tsubasa Yoshino (4th year = Toho), RBI king Taichi Inde (4th year = Chukyo University Chukyo) This line up from number 1 to number 4 is very threatening.
Be wary of Yoshino, who hit 3 home runs in 2 games.
Hodai’s notable player is Yoshituru Shoei (4th grade = Kisarazu General). This season, he started in the second game against Ritsumeikan University and pitched three innings, allowing one home run and two earned runs. He has not been able to demonstrate his true potential.
Yoshituru, the ace on the left, is expected to make a comeback.
Another player to keep an eye on at Hodai is Sota Utsumi (Act 4 = Gotemba Nishi). Utsumi has played in four games so far and has a decent batting average of .278 and one RBI, but most of his hits have been singles.
Utsumi is expected to play an active role as No. 4.
If they win this card, they will get 2 points and take a big step towards the championship. Also, they have lost four consecutive games to Waseda University since last fall, and would like to get revenge by winning two in a row.
