The victory propels the Aichi representative back to the Meiji Jingu tournament, marking their ninth overall appearance in the collegiate division.
Yuyo Suzuki Earns Most Valuable Player Honors
Infielder Yuyo Suzuki powered the offense with four hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, earning tournament MVP honors. A veteran of the university national team selection camp, Suzuki ignited the attack and used his speed to dismantle the Kogakkan defense.
In the third inning, Suzuki drew a walk before scampering home from first base on a fly ball by teammate Ieshiro that dropped into left-center field. He added an infield single in the fifth and promptly stole second base. After Kogakkan tied the game at 2-2, Suzuki sparked an eight-run seventh inning with a single to right field and advanced on a popup before driving in two runs with a single in the eighth.
Training Under Technical Advisor Eiji
Earlier in the year, Suzuki clocked a blistering 5.78 seconds in the 50-meter dash during the national team training camp.
Working with the former professional player reshaped Suzuki’s running mechanics, teaching him proper base-touching techniques and the geometry of running in a straight line. Those adjustments turned close plays at second base into safe calls and instilled a mental calm that paid off during high-stakes tournament at-bats.
Meiji Jingu Tournament Schedule and Outlook
The team opens play on November 19 against the second representative from the Kanto five-league alliance at Jingu Stadium.
Spring tournament play ended in an opening-round exit for Chukyo, but Suzuki enters the autumn national showcase aiming to establish himself as a focal point for opposing pitchers. The tournament runs through November 24 in Tokyo.
Worth a look
