Overview

• Yamanashi Gakuin beat defending champion Kyoto International 11–4 to reach its first summer semifinal, delivering Yamanashi Prefecture’s first Final Four team since 2012.
• Kyoto International ace Ikki Nishimura allowed 10 hits and 9 runs over six innings and said he will attend university with the goal of turning professional.
• Nittaidai defeated Kanto Daiichi 5–3 for its first semifinal berth in seven years, as Ryo Tanaka hit his second home run of the tournament.
• Tanaka became the first player with multiple homers at Koshien since low‑rebound bats were introduced in 2024, and Yamanashi Gakuin’s Yu Yokoyama added the event’s eighth home run, surpassing last summer’s total of seven.
• Teams used the Aug. 18 rest day to fine-tune as concerns persisted about heavy pitcher workloads in severe heat.