Power Surge in Fukuoka: Sakakura and Carp Sluggers Lead Hiroshima to Pre-Season Victory

In the high-stakes environment of NPB pre-season preparations, momentum is the most valuable currency. For the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, that momentum arrived in a thunderous wave during a March 21 clash against the SoftBank Hawks at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan.

The Carp secured a 7-5 victory, a result driven by a rare display of collective power. Three different bats—Fabian, Shogo Sakakura, and Shogo Akiyama—cleared the fences, signaling a potent offensive identity as the team prepares for the regular season. While the victory stopped a three-game losing streak, the narrative of the game centered on the resilience of the lineup and the specific “bottom power” of Sakakura, who delivered the decisive blow.

The Turning Points: A Trio of Home Runs

The game began as a test of endurance for Hiroshima’s pitching. Starter Tarnock, a new foreign addition to the roster, navigated through a challenging start. Tarnock surrendered early runs in the second and third innings, including a sacrifice fly to Kondo, leaving the Carp trailing. However, Tarnock stabilized in the later frames, completing five innings with eight hits and three runs allowed, while touching a top speed of 155 km/h.

The offense ignited in the fourth inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Fabian launched a three-run home run to left field, tying the game and shifting the energy in the stadium. Fabian, who entered the game with a pre-season batting average of .167, noted that while he hit the ball slightly in front of his ideal point, the contact felt right. “The moment I hit it, I thought it was gone,” Fabian remarked.

The definitive moment arrived in the sixth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Shogo Sakakura stepped to the plate and drove a three-run home run into the right-center home run terrace. The blast gave Hiroshima a lead they would not relinquish. For Sakakura, the home run was more than just a statistic; it was a validation of his approach.

Following the game, Sakakura expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating that the result came from executing what he intended to do at the plate and emphasized his desire to maintain this consistency moving forward.

The scoring barrage continued into the seventh, when Shogo Akiyama entered as a pinch hitter. Facing Osuna, Akiyama drove a solo shot to right field. Despite being behind in the count, Akiyama focused on simply making contact, a disciplined approach that resulted in the game’s third home run.

The Road to Redemption: Contextualizing the Comeback

To understand the weight of Sakakura’s performance, one must seem back to the contract negotiations in November 2025. It was a period of stark honesty and professional humility for the Carp’s core players.

During his contract renewal on November 27, 2025, Sakakura signed for an estimated annual salary of 140 million yen, a 10 million yen decrease from the previous year. He described the prior season as “extremely painful,” citing a finger fracture sustained during spring camp that delayed his first-team registration until late April. While he showed flashes of brilliance in May with a monthly batting average over .300, he struggled through the summer, failing to reach double-digit home runs for the first time since 2021.

Sakakura’s resolve during those negotiations was clear: he wanted to “build people look again” and aim for a career-high season by enjoying the sport and continuing to grow. The game-winning blast in Fukuoka serves as an early indicator that his mental and physical preparation is paying dividends.

Akiyama shared a similar trajectory of hardship. In those same November negotiations, the 37-year-old veteran signed for 130 million yen plus incentives, a 50 million yen drop. Akiyama’s season had been hampered by an ankle injury during the opening card and a subsequent struggle to reclaim a permanent starting spot amidst the rise of younger talent. His solo home run against SoftBank suggests a veteran who is still capable of delivering in high-leverage pinch-hitting roles.

Pitching Depth and Velocity

While the bats stole the headlines, the Carp’s pitching staff provided critical data points for the coaching staff. Beyond Tarnock’s outing, the team saw a standout performance from second-round draft pick Saito. Entering in the seventh inning, Saito clocked a personal best of 156 km/h, retiring three batters in a row with two strikeouts.

The bullpen held firm in the closing stages. Although Shimauchi surrendered a two-run home run to Nomura in the eighth, Moriura closed out the ninth inning to preserve the two-run lead and secure the win.

For a global audience following the NPB, these pre-season exhibitions are more than friendly matches; they are the primary window into how teams have evolved during the winter. For Hiroshima, the synergy between the new foreign talent like Fabian and the established core of Sakakura and Akiyama suggests a balanced attack.

The Carp now shift their focus back to their home turf. The next major checkpoint for the team is the game against Chunichi, scheduled for March 28 at Mazda Stadium. This matchup will be a final critical test of the roster’s readiness before the official season opener.

Do you suppose the Carp’s offensive surge in Fukuoka is a sign of a championship-caliber lineup this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below.