CHIBA & TOKYO, Jun. 24 – Two graduates from agricultural schools made their professional pitching debut in June. Koshiro Hiroike (22), a pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines who graduated the School of Agriculture, the Tokai University (Kumamoto Prefecture), made his first mound appearance as a starting pitcher in a game against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars on June 21, giving up three consecutive homers and three runs in the first two innings. Also, Yuto Nakamura (22), a pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and a graduate from Nagasaki Prefectural Isahaya Agricultural High School (Nagasaki Prefecture), made his first appearance as a starting pitcher in a game against the Orix Buffaloes on June 22 and pitched well, allowing only one run in five innings.
“I’m delighted to see Hiroike making his first pitching appearance ahead of schedule,” said Michihiro Hayashida, a coach of the baseball team at Tokai University’s Kyushu Campus. Before the game, Hiroike contacted Hayashida and told the mentor from his university days that he would do his best. Hayashida watched the game’s recording after work. “He is restarting his baseball career by being exposed to the high level of the first teams. I hope for him to build a stronger body and make progress,” he said.
After Hiroike turned professional, the number of baseball club members at the School of Agriculture, Tokai University, grew. This year, it had seven new members, compared to the usual one or two each year, and they include some graduates from agricultural high schools. Hayashida credits Hiroike with showing the path a graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture can take to become a professional player. “Hiroike’s impact is huge,” Hayashida said.
Hiroike at the Faculty of Agriculture in Tokai University (in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture)