At the summer Koshien tournament, Gifu Prefectural Commercial High School defeated Nihon University Yamagata, advancing past the first round for the first time in 16 years.
After conceding the first run, Gifu Prefectural Commercial tied the game in the fifth inning when Yokayama delivered his first timely hit at the sacred stadium.
Then, Watanabe, batting ninth, drove in the go-ahead run, making it 2-1. The team’s momentum grew, and by the seventh inning, they had scored six runs.
With a team batting average of .396 in the Gifu tournament, Gifu Prefectural Commercial’s powerful offense shone on the big stage.
In the ninth inning, starting pitcher Shibata secured the lead with a strong performance, allowing only three runs over 135 pitches.
Gifu Prefectural Commercial advances past the first round for the first time in 16 years.
Koshien tournament
The **Koshien Tournament** is Japan’s premier high school baseball competition, held annually at **Hanshin Koshien Stadium** in Nishinomiya since 1915. It is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, symbolizing perseverance and teamwork, with the spring (Invitational) and summer (National) tournaments drawing nationwide attention. Many legendary professional players, like Sadaharu Oh and Shohei Ohtani, began their careers at Koshien, making it a cherished institution in Japanese sports history.
Gifu Prefectural Commercial High School
Gifu Prefectural Commercial High School is a vocational high school in Gifu, Japan, established to provide specialized education in commerce and business. Founded during Japan’s modernization period, it reflects the country’s emphasis on practical education to support economic growth. The school continues to train students in business skills, adapting to contemporary industry needs.
Nihon University Yamagata
Nihon University Yamagata is a branch campus of Nihon University, one of Japan’s oldest and largest private universities, located in Yamagata Prefecture. Established to provide regional education and research opportunities, it offers programs in fields such as engineering and agriculture. The campus contributes to local development while maintaining the university’s tradition of academic excellence since its founding in 1889.
sacred stadium
The **Sacred Stadium**, also known as the **Panathenaic Stadium**, is a historic site in Athens, Greece, originally built in 330 BCE for the Panathenaic Games. Reconstructed in marble by Herodes Atticus in 144 CE, it hosted ancient athletic competitions and was revived for the first modern Olympics in 1896. Today, it remains a symbol of classical heritage and the birthplace of the Olympic tradition.
