2025.03.26

Yokohama's Raito Okumura achieves an immaculate inning → Immediately takes the lead "I thought a strikeout would be what would change the flow" A rare achievement with 20 players in the NPB, starting with the first three batters on three consecutive pitches

７回、小川耕平を三ゴロに打ち取りガッツポーズを決める横浜の２番手・奥村頼人（撮影・開出牧）

3枚

"High School Baseball Championship Quarterfinals, Yokohama 5-1 Nishinippon Junior College" (26th, Koshien Stadium)

Yokohama's ace left-handed pitcher, Raito Okumura (3rd year), brought the momentum to the team.

Starting pitcher Shoki Oda (2nd year), a right-handed pitcher with a 152 km/h pitch, kept the game going with only one run allowed in five innings, and right fielder Raito Okumura came on in the sixth inning. Starting with the first batter, he struck out three consecutive batters on three pitches, achieving what is known as an "immaculate inning."

The team regained momentum and took a three-point lead in the sixth inning with a timely hit by infielder Hikaru Tamenaga (3rd year).

Four innings were scoreless and hitless. Raito Okumura, who did not allow a single runner, reflected, "I thought that the strikeout was the best way to change the flow of the game. I aimed for it, or rather, I threw each pitch one by one and got the strikeout. I threw each pitch with all my might and put my soul into it."

Manager Hiroaki Murata praised Raito Okumura's pitching, which completely changed the flow of the game, saying, "The momentum really shifted." He continued, "He went from being an outfielder to suddenly being a pitcher, which is not an easy thing to do. I think he's come to understand what it means to wear the number 1 jersey for Yokohama High School. Koshien really changes things," he said, smiling at his growth.

Last fall, when the team won the Meiji Jingu Tournament, Oda, who started on this day, played well and attracted attention as a "super freshman." Manager Murata praised his efforts, saying, "Raito must have been frustrated. He worked hard this winter, practicing alone every morning with Coach Takayama by his side. That's how he got stronger and was able to wear the number one spot at Koshien. He's become more reliable, or rather, he had the ability to begin with."

The "Immaculate Inning" was achieved in the NPB by Hiroshima's Moriura in a game against SoftBank on June 1st last year, and by Hiroshima's Morishita in a game against Hanshin on July 2nd, but it is a rare feat that has only been achieved by 20 people in history.