The Hachioji Campusbaseball team won the All-Japan University Baseball Championship for the first time in 53 years and made it into the top eight in the country.

On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the Teikyo University baseball team faced Kwansei Gakuin University in the second round of the 73rd All-Japan University Baseball Championship, held at Meiji Jingu Stadium (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), and won 4-3.

Starting pitcher Ryuto Sakae (4th year Faculty of Medical Technology) allowed only 3 runs, and the score was tied at 3-3 at the end of the 8th inning, but in the top of the 9th inning, outfielder Aito Hikosaka (3rd year Faculty of Medical Technology) hit a triple to break the deadlock, and outfielder Ryoki Yamamoto (3rd year, Faculty of Medical Technology) hit a timely triple to take the lead, and pitcher Haruma Kuno (3rd year Faculty of Medical Technology) kept the score at zero in the 9th inning, winning the close game. This was the first victory for our university in 53 years since the 20th tournament held in 1971.

The next day, on June 13th (Thursday), the quarterfinals were held against Tenri University, who had won the first and second rounds by shutout. Starting pitcher Masao Miyata (3rd year, Faculty of Medical Technology), followed by Tsubasa Hamada (4th year, Faculty of Medical Technology) and Haruma Kuno, the pitchers showed good pitching, limiting the opposing batting line to three runs, but they were unable to score any runs and lost 0-3, finishing in the top eight.
After the game, captain Keiichi Imazaki (4th year Faculty of Medical Technology) expressed his disappointment with his own performance, but also expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's thanks to everyone on the team that we've come this far." Coach Ryoichi Karasawa spoke about the future, saying, "I want to continue working hard without forgetting the scenery of the All Japan Championship. It was a great experience to be able to experience this big stage where various teams gather."

Yui Miyazaki (4th year, Faculty of Liberal Arts), manager of our university's baseball team, was selected by the Metropolitan University Baseball Federation as a student headquarters member and was involved in the management of the tournament from the opening ceremony onwards. She also served as the stadium announcer for the final game, and other students from our university were active in many areas.
In addition to the baseball team members, Cheerleading Club and the brass band of our university also cheered in unison with the support of the surrounding spectators, just like in league games. Even though the game was held on a weekday, many people came to the stadium, including the family members of the team members, alumni, graduates, students, faculty and staff of our university, and others. Thank you for your warm support for the baseball team.

More details about the tournament
The original website of the baseball club is here
Click here for the baseball club Instagram

Photography: Seiya Kawamoto

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