Jack Gallagher 
Stanford University first baseman Rintaro Sasaki in a March 2025 file photo. (©Darren Yamashita/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)
Read the full story on SportsLook - Rintaro Sasaki Homers Again for Stanford and Now Leads the Team in RBIs
STANFORD, California ― Rintaro Sasaki may only be a freshman, but he has proven his bona fides after just 20 games with Stanford University.
The 19-year-old had three singles, all frozen rope line drives, in the Cardinal's 13-3 loss to the University of California in the opener of their three-game series on Friday night, March 21 at Sunken Diamond. He then blasted a solo home run for his fourth circuit clout of the campaign in Saturday afternoon's 13-4 defeat to the Golden Bears.
The burly slugger has clearly acclimated well to the American collegiate game, where he has started every contest for the Stanford (15-5) at first base this season. Sasaki, an Iwate Prefecture native, leads the team in RBIs (24) and is second in batting average (.354).
Cardinal Dugout Boss Impressed with Rintaro Sasaki
Stanford coach David Esquer likes what he is seeing from his young charge at this early juncture.
"He is swinging the bat well, really squaring the ball up," Esquer remarked on Saturday. "Every time he puts a pass on the ball, he has the chance for something exciting to happen."
Added Esquer, "He is just feeling good, he is more comfortable. [And] he has feet underneath him now."
Cal Takes a Commanding Lead on Saturday
Stanford saw its pitching staff get lit up for the second day in a row on Saturday, falling behind 9-1 before Sasaki put some life into the home crowd with the blast to right in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 9-2.
The 125-kg sensation turned on a first-pitch fastball from Cal starter Gavin Eddy and hit a shot that seemed to hang in the air for an eternity. Bears right fielder Jacob French went back to the wall and tried to time his jump, but could not corral the ball as it went over his outstretched glove and into the trees beyond the fence.
"I had a good swing on it, but it was close," Sasaki commented. "A home run doesn't matter when the team loses. We will try to come back tomorrow."
Sasaki is in a groove now, with each contact with the ball producing a huge sound from his aluminum bat.
"Every AB (at-bat) sounds and feels not too bad," Sasaki remarked. "Yesterday each single felt good. I'm learning something every day. Trying to focus on each AB. It's nice."
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
