July 27, 2023
In the final of the 105th National High School Baseball Championship Kanagawa Tournament, held at Yokohama Stadium on Wednesday, July 26, the Keio Senior High School baseball team defeated Yokohama High School 6-5 to win the championship, securing a spot in the Summer Koshien. This will be their 19th appearance at the Summer Koshien and their first in five years since 2018. It is also a remarkable achievement, marking their first time participating as the sole representative of Kanagawa Prefecture in 61 years, since 1962.
Keio Senior High School took an early two-run lead in the top of the third inning, but Yokohama High School closed the gap to one run in the bottom of the fifth. Keio scored another run in the top of the sixth, but then gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth, allowing Yokohama to take the lead. After giving up another run in the bottom of the seventh, Keio entered the top of the ninth inning trailing 3-5. Then, Chihiro Watanabe hit a dramatic three-run home run to turn the game around. On the pitching side, the relay from starter Oyanagi to Suzuki and Matsui held the Yokohama High School batters at bay. Even in tight spots, the team secured a brilliant victory with their smiling "Enjoy Baseball" style. At the stadium, despite the record-breaking heat, a large crowd including baseball team members, current students, and alumni cheered them on, sharing in the joy of the team's victory and their qualification for Koshien, which follows their appearance at the Spring Invitational (Senbatsu) this year. Hopes are high that they will redeem themselves at the Summer Koshien for their performance at the Spring Invitational.
The tournament bracket drawing is scheduled to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3.
Keio Senior High School Website
Baseball Team Qualifies for the 105th National High School Baseball Championship (July 27, 2023)
Asahi Shimbun Special Extra.pdf
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Photo by: Aki Takematsu