Match report
November 2, 2025
On November 2nd, the final day of the “4th BFA Women’s Baseball Asia Cup” (held in Hangzhou, China from October 26th to November 2nd) was held. Samurai Japan Women’s National Team played against Chinese Taipei just like in the previous tournament and won easily 8-0. It was his fourth victory in four consecutive tournaments.
In the top of the first inning, Sakukazu Kashiwazaki (Osaka University of Physical Education), who was expected to be the ace from before the tournament, created a rhythm by getting consecutive strikeouts and keeping all three players out, and the batting line immediately came to support him.
When the leadoff player, Masa Hanjin (Fukui Institute of Technology), got on base due to an opponent’s mistake, she decided to steal base and moved to second base. Yuria Hatanaka (Osaka University of Sport Science), the No. 2 player, followed with a bunt hit, and Miu Hino (Faculty of International Relations, Nihon University)’s squeeze invited the opponent’s field selection to take the lead. Furthermore, when the opponent’s mistakes opened up more opportunities, Mutsumi Kimura (Osaka University of Physical Education) grounded out to third, Honoka Hanamoto (Faculty of International Relations, Nihon University) hit a double to the right field line, Ichika Yamamoto (Osaka University of Physical Education) hit a hit in front of center field, Jinnan Wakisaka (Shigakukan University) hit a triple that hit right-center field, and Hanjin’s bunt led to an opponent’s mistake, giving them seven points in one go.
After that, it was difficult to score in front of the opponent’s left-hander Zhu Shuqin, who took the mound from the second inning, and Kashiwazaki, who had been limited to two hits until the fourth inning, caused a pinch with consecutive hits in the top of the fifth inning.
However, Kashiwazaki got a strikeout and got two outs, and the next batter’s batted ball bounced off the right field line, but Angelica Ikuuchi (IPU Pacific Rim University), who had been in right field midway through the game, quickly handled it and threw the ball to first base. He got out just in the nick of time and got out of the pinch without even allowing a single point back.
After that, Kashiwazaki carefully pitched low pitches, and even when he got a runner on, he hit into a double play and did not allow the opponent’s batting line to counterattack. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Naouchi hit a timely double to left-center field from Chen Qirong, the opponent’s No. 3 player, who replaced him in the bottom of the 6th inning.
In the final round, Kashiwazaki was able to safely keep all three players out, and a circle of joy formed around Kashiwazaki, and the players shared their joy.
Unlike the previous tournament in 2023, where the full national team competed, this tournament consisted of only young players consisting of university students. During the training camp, there were many times when he showed some roughness due to his youth, but in the tournament, he improved with each match and continued to play as a model for other teams in running, attacking, and defending, and won the championship.
The group round of the 10th WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup is scheduled to be held next year, and the team’s fourth consecutive victory and the rise of young players will give them great momentum in preparation for that.
Coach/player comments
Director Risa Nakajima
“The fact that we were able to score even after two outs in the first inning was a big deal. I’m happy that we were able to win, but our opponent’s left-handed second-hander kept us perfectly in check with no runs in the fourth inning, so we still have some work to do if we want to become the best in the world. This isn’t the end for these players, so if they work hard and want to play for the national team again, I think it will be worth it for them to take part in this tournament as college students.”
Sakuzu Kashiwazaki (Osaka Sports University)
“I was able to go on the mound with less nervousness than I expected. I had a strong backup team and I thought they would score a lot of runs, so I thought of my job and pitched every inning without giving up any runs. Manager Nakajima told me that it was important to get the runners on, so I was able to collect my pitches low enough to avoid getting extra-base hits and to get grounders.”
Ichika Yamamoto (Osaka University of Physical Education) *Co-captain
“It’s a great feeling. (As co-captain with Wakisaka) we were able to work together and the players were all working for the team, which helped us out. We all communicated well and were able to fight with a high mindset of winning.”
Jinnan Wakisaka (Shigakukan University) *Co-captain
“I’m really happy. I was surprised when I heard that I would be the captain, but I decided to do what I could, and while communicating well with Yamamoto, I was able to see it through to the end. I want to wear this uniform again, and I’ve discovered a lot of things I’m lacking in, so I’d like to work on those and achieve my goals.”
