Yokohama vs Takasaki Shodai Fuzoku: Second inning, no outs. Chishima (right) hits a go-ahead solo home run over left field at Yamanashi YBS Stadium

The 78th Autumn Kanto High School Baseball Tournament began on the 18th at Yamanashi YBS Stadium and other venues with first-round games. Yokohama (Kanagawa 1st seed) defeated Takasaki Shodai Fuzoku (Gunma 2nd seed) 5-4 in a walk-off victory.

Yokohama took the lead in the second inning with a solo home run by Chishima (2nd year). After immediately surrendering the lead, they regained it in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Kawakami (1st year). The teams then traded runs until the ninth inning when the score was tied 4-4. Kawakami hit his second home run of the game, a walk-off shot that decided the outcome.

Starting pitcher Oda (2nd year) allowed 4 runs over 7+ innings.

Yokohama will face Sendai Matsudo (Chiba 1st seed) in the quarterfinals on the 20th, with a berth in the Spring Tournament at stake.

Yamanashi YBS Stadium

Yamanashi YBS Stadium is a multi-purpose athletic stadium located in Kofu, Japan, primarily used for football and track and field events. It was originally constructed in 1985 and is best known as the former home stadium of the J.League football club Ventforet Kofu. The stadium is named after the Yamanashi Broadcasting System (YBS), which holds the naming rights.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a major port city in Japan that developed rapidly after the country opened to foreign trade in 1859, following centuries of isolation. It became a gateway for Western influence, which is reflected in its historic Yamate district and iconic Chinatown. Today, it is a modern, cosmopolitan city known for its Minato Mirai waterfront area, featuring landmarks like the Landmark Tower.

Takasaki Shodai Fuzoku

Takasaki Shodai Fuzoku is a public high school in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, originally established in 1878. It is one of the prefecture’s oldest academic institutions, historically known for its rigorous curriculum and for producing many prominent alumni. The school represents a significant part of the local educational and cultural history.

Autumn Kanto High School Baseball Tournament

The Autumn Kanto High School Baseball Tournament is a major annual competition for high school baseball teams in Japan’s Kanto region, typically held in September. It serves as a crucial qualifier for the prestigious National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament (“Spring Kōshien”), with the champion earning an automatic bid. The tournament has a long history as part of Japan’s deeply rooted high school baseball culture, mirroring the structure and significance of the National High School Baseball Championship.

Spring Tournament

The Spring Tournament, known as Haru Basho, is one of the six annual professional sumo wrestling tournaments in Japan. Held every March at the Edion Arena Osaka, it has been a major event in the sumo calendar for centuries, celebrating the sport’s deep-rooted traditions and signaling the start of the spring season.