[Seibu Lions] The first rookie on the 12-ball team is Taiga Kojima! Happy to be home run with the first two runs of the pro season!

Sports Hochi

March 31, 2026 19:45

In the fourth inning with no outs and a runner on first base, Taiga Kojima hits a two-run homer over the right field fence, the team's first of the season (Photo by Tomomi Watanabe).

◆ Pacific League Seibu-Orix (31st and Belluna Dome)

Draft No. 1 Taiga Kojima catcher = Meiji Univ. hit a two-run Home Run shot into the right field stands, the team’s first and professional No. 1, and Seibu Lions turned the tables on the team.

He started starting line-up as the sixth batter and catcher. In the fourth inning, with no outs and a runner on first base, trailing by one run, he swung hard at a high inside fastball from opposing starter Takashima, sending the ball in a beautiful parabola into the right-field stands. “I was behind in the count, so I just swung with the intention of getting the ball on for the next batter. I’m so glad it was home run,” he said excitedly.

It was the first home run of the season by a rookie from any of the 12 teams. It was a memorable hit, a big one for both the team and himself.