WBSC Premier12 winner Yukio Shuto breaks Japan Series record

WBSC Premier12 winner Yukyo Shuto set a new Japan Series record when he collected five hits in a 10-1 Hanwha Eagles win in Game Two against the Hanshin Tigers. Shuto tripled in the second, doubled in the seventh and added three singles.

"I managed to bat the way I pictured," the Kyodo News Agency quoted Shuto. "I've never thought about doing this and I'm happy."

Yukio Shuto, 29, debuted on the international stage at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World 2018 and helped Japan win the WBSC Premier12 2019 and the World Baseball Classic 2023.

After starring in the Hokkaido University Baseball League in 2017, he signed as a development player for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Shuto made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut in 2019. The Hawks used him as a defensive replacement and a pinch runner, the same role he had for Japan in the WBSC Premier12 2019. He had 102 at-bats in 102 games and stole 25 bases. He later became an everyday player and has combined for 688 games through the 2025 regular season. In 2020, Shuto stole a base in 12 consecutive games, setting a new NPB record.

The Hawks now lead the best-of-seven Japan Series, 2-1,

The Tigers came from behind to win the Japan Series opener in front of 36,882 spectators at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, 2-1. Shoki Murakami won a pitching duel with former MLB pitcher Kohei Arihara, and the Pacific League Home Run King Teruaki Sato broke the tie with a double.

After the Hawks outscored the Tigers in Game Two, they won Game Three on home soil at Koshien Stadium, 2-1.

WBSC Premier12 star Livan Moinelo and three relievers limited the Tigers to one run. Another WBSC Premier12 star, Hiro Saiki, conceded two runs on five hits, including a home run by Hodaka Yamakawa and an RBI-double by Tatsuya Yanagimachi.

Game Four is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at Koshien Stadium.