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SoftBank Hawks Clinch 2025 Japan Series With Extra-Innings Win Over Hanshin

Late power with steady relief defined a tight five-game series of four one-run decisions.

Overview

  • SoftBank sealed the championship with a 3–2 victory in 11 innings in Game 5 at Koshien Stadium to take the series 4–1.
  • Yuki Yanagita tied Game 5 with a two-run home run in the eighth inning before Yu Nomura delivered the go-ahead solo shot in the 11th.
  • The title is SoftBank’s 12th overall and its first in five years, marking a return to the top of Nippon Professional Baseball.
  • Hot-hitting first baseman Hotaka Yamakawa was named Series MVP after totaling three home runs across the five games.
  • The bullpen locked down the late innings in the clincher, with Rei Sugiyama throwing two scoreless frames and closer Yu Matsumoto finishing the win.