The long-awaited first arc from the base leapt towards the Hanshin Slugger monster. In the fifth inning, Teruaki infielder Sato (21 = Kindai), who was first in the draft, pitched a No. 2 open game and 2 runs to the left center seat in the deep end of Koshien. On March 10, “Sato Day”, 3 hits and 2 RBIs just before the cycle batting. Feeling the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, I got a special photo.

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At Koshien, where many left-handed hitters struggled, the monstrous slugger drew a parable very easily. 5th inning, 2nd base. Teruaki Sato shook both Hiroshima Scott’s seams. The ball hit the beach breeze and reached the deepest left center seat. 2 runs, which will be the second open game. This is the first arch to be commemorated in Koshien. “It’s the opposite direction, but I’m very happy to have landed a good shot. I think the one I struck in front of the Hanshin fans will be special.” At that moment, there was a shout from a crowd of 6071 people.

Both at-bats went high, but because of the wind blowing through the sky, the third baseman returned from foul zone to fair zone in a hurry and became a potential hitter. In the fourth inning, he threw and rounded to the right wing line. If he got a triple hit, it was a hit for the cycle, but with 3 hits and 2 RBIs, he was ejected from defense 7 times. This day was exactly “Sa (3) Fuji (10) Day”. “Oh, that’s right. Sato’s day … I’m glad (laughs).” If you have a dynamic full swing and Hamakaze on your side, you can get results even on Koshien, which is disadvantageous for left-handed hitters.

It has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. March 11 is an unforgettable day for Teruaki Sato. My paternal grandparents, who live in Murata, Miyagi, also suffered a tremor. Fortunately, there was no major damage, but when I returned home, I witnessed the disaster area and said, “There was nothing around the airport. I thought it was terrible damage.” The scene still remains in the mind of the boy who was a primary school student at the time. “I think there are still some people who are still suffering, so I wonder if those people could feel the courage.” Ten years have passed and I became a professional baseball player. I put the desire to encourage the disaster area at bat.

There was also a point of reflection in the defense. Although he had experience in the Kindai era, he was the first professional to defend third base at Koshien. In the fifth inning, Hiroshima’s Kosuke Tanaka came forward to hit the ball, but couldn’t match the rebound and fell behind. Record the first misstep. “I want to be well prepared so that they can trust me with anything.” After the game, he stayed and practiced outfield defense with outfield defense baseball coach Tsutsui. I look at my feet without floating and walk toward the opening.[Ryosuke Hayashi]

○… It turned out that Teruaki Sato plans to receive the “Special Prize for Physical Education” from Kindai University. Awarded to students who have achieved outstanding results in physical education activities. He became Kansai’s best student baseball player last fall and was praised for having recorded 14 home runs, setting a new record for Tomohiro Nioka in the same league.