On May 30, our baseball team faced Chiben Wakayama High School in the semifinal of the 2026 Spring Kinki Regional High School Baseball Tournament, held at Wakasa Stadium Kyoto.

Despite battling tenaciously against one of the region’s strongest teams until the very end, the team fell 0–4 and finished the tournament with an impressive Top 4 finish in the Spring Kinki Tournament.

Ritsumeikan Uji started ace pitcher Nakao on the mound. Displaying outstanding composure and consistency from the outset, he held the powerful Chiben Wakayama lineup to just two hits and no runs through the first four innings. His efficient pitching kept the game moving at a steady pace and allowed the team to compete evenly against one of the nation’s premier high school baseball programs.

The offense also took an aggressive approach from the first inning, putting runners on base and creating scoring opportunities. However, the timely hit they needed proved elusive, and they were unable to bring runners home. Their best chance came in the seventh inning, when they loaded the bases with two outs. Expectations in the stands reached their peak, but the team was unable to capitalize, missing a crucial opportunity to seize momentum.

Nakao continued to pitch with determination, but Chiben Wakayama broke the deadlock with a run in the fifth inning and added three more in the eighth. Although Ritsumeikan Uji continued to fight back until the final out, they were unable to solve Chiben Wakayama’s pitching staff, and the game ended in a 0–4 defeat.

On this day, the school’s concert band came to the stadium to support the team, providing energetic musical encouragement from the stands. Many parents, alumni, and supporters were also in attendance, cheering passionately for the players. The unity displayed by the baseball team, the concert band, and the supporters in the stands embodied the spirit of Ritsumeikan Uji and became a tremendous source of strength for the players.

Although the result was disappointing, the players’ performance on the grand stage of the Kinki Tournament semifinal was truly commendable. Beginning with a runner-up finish in the Kyoto Prefectural Tournament, earning their first appearance in the Kinki Tournament in 12 years, and advancing all the way to the final four, the team grew significantly through each game and every challenge they faced.

While the defeat leaves a sense of frustration, the experience gained from this tournament will undoubtedly serve as a valuable asset heading into the summer season. Armed with both confidence and lessons learned from competing against elite programs, the baseball team will continue striving for even greater heights.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and encouragement for the Ritsumeikan Uji Baseball Club.