The second-round match against the prestigious Meiji University on Sunday the 16th was one of the tournament's most notable events. More than 16,000 spectators filled the stands, and both teams’ cheering sections were packed with supporters. The game unfolded with Ritsumeikan trailing by one run until the late innings, but they displayed their resilience by tying the score, eventually sending the game into extra innings for the tiebreaker. In the top of the 10th inning, the team pulled ahead thanks to the heads-up baserunning of captain Taiga Kawamoto (4th year, College of Gastronomy Management), and the relief pitchers held on to the lead for a dramatic 7-2 victory.

In the semifinals on Tuesday the 18th, Ritsumeikan faced Meijo University, a powerhouse from the Chukyo region, in a tense pitchers' duel that only saw one score all game. Starting pitcher Yamato Takahashi (2nd year, College of Letters) pitched six scoreless innings before handing the game over to relievers Shibamoto, Wakatabe, and Arima, a relay that would ultimately prove effective. In the bottom of the 4th inning, it was Takahashi himself who successfully executed a safety squeeze to score the lone run, and the team held on for a 1-0 victory, earning their ticket to the finals for the first time in team history.

Then came the finals on Wednesday the 19th. The game was a pitcher's duel with zeros on the scoreboard until the fifth inning, but the momentum shifted to Aoyama Gakuin in the top of the 6th inning when their catcher connected for a three-run homer on a full count slider. In the 7th inning, Ritsumeikan’s ace Arima took the mound but ended up giving up one more run. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Keiya Nishino (3rd year, College of Social Sciences) created an opportunity to turn the tide by getting on base with a hit, but his teammates could not drive him in, and the game ended in a 0 to 4 defeat.

Thanks to your ardent support, Ritsumeikan made it all the way to the final stage of the Meiji Jingu Tournament. Carrying with them this season’s team slogan of “giving something back,” the players entered these games determined to express their gratitude through victory to all who support them day in and day out. Their gritty performances against several powerhouse opponents embodied that spirit. Building on this experience, the Ritsumeikan Baseball Team will continue striving for further growth as they seek to tackle new challenges. We hope you will continue to cheer them on.