Orix's Keita Nakagawa delivered the game-winning hit with two outs in the ninth, ending SoftBank's comeback hopes and keeping his team's title ambitions alive.
The American, who has roots in Japan, was steady throughout and came up big on the final hole.
Yakult outscored Hanshin 18-7 in three Central League Climax Series Final Stage games, completing a series sweep in dramatic fashion.
The former world No. 1 amateur is alone in fifth place after a spectacular 63 at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.
The defending champion will need a strong round to get back into contention as he bids to become the first two-time winner of the tournament.
Japan's national squad is making only its third tournament appearance this century. Therefore, each match is a vital part of its overall development.
With her dazzling win, Nakai clinched a spot in the JGP Final, and Kataise, making his long-awaited circuit debut, impressed with his jump landings.
Under new bench boss Atsushi Ono, the NeoPhoenix have overhauled their roster, laying a new foundation with an influx of youthful players and established veterans.
She became the J.League's first female referee in May 2021 and the first in the Asian Champions League in April 2022. Now she's a FIFA World...
The Swallows slugger overcame obstacles and broke Japanese-born players' single-season home run record with considerable pressure heaped upon him.
The 22-year-old AlphaTauri driver got as high as ninth place but couldn't hold on and settled for 13th in F1's first race in Japan since 2019.
With the win, the American will reach the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time and bolster his chances of qualifying for the...