July 15, 2025
On Saturday, July 12, in the second round of the 107th National High School Baseball Championship Kanagawa Tournament, Keio Senior High School (Juku-ko) and Keio Shonan Fujisawa Senior High School (SFC High School) faced each other for the first time in the history of the Kanagawa Summer High School Baseball Tournament. In the highly anticipated "Keio Showdown," Juku-ko emerged victorious and secured their advancement to the third round.
It was an extraordinary game at Batting Palace Kaiseki Stadium Hiratsuka, where two Keio School Flags fluttered above the scoreboard, players in identical gray KEIO uniforms filled the field, and the same cheering songs such as "Wakaki-chi" and "Dash KEIO" echoed from both the first-base and third-base stands. Many people associated with Keio University gathered to witness this historic "Keio Derby."
In the SFC High School cheering section, the voices of the cheer squad bolstered the players' efforts, with members expressing their enthusiasm: "Even though we are brother schools, we also have a sense of rivalry. We want to convey through our cheering that Shonan Fujisawa Senior High School is also here in Kanagawa." The leader of the Juku-ko Keio University Cheerleading Team also enlivened the match, stating, "I was moved by Captain Yamada's athlete's oath. I want to cheer so that both schools can give their absolute best." During the game, play was briefly suspended when SFC High School's Captain Hanai felt unwell, but when he returned to the field after treatment, chants of "Go Hanai!" echoed from the Juku-ko stands, and Captain Hanai was seen bowing deeply in response. During the Rendition of Alma Mater "The Juku-ka" after the game, singing could also be heard from the first-base (SFC High School) stands, making it a match where both the field and the stands were filled with "great smiles."
In interviews with both team captains after the match, they spoke in unison about Keio cheering songs playing even while they were on defense: "I approached it thinking that they were cheering for our team even during defense. It was fresh and fun." Regarding the support, SFC High School's Captain Hanai expressed his gratitude, saying, "I think our numbers were smaller compared to Juku-ko, but I didn't feel that way at all. The cheering voices reached me clearly," and "Many friends I usually take classes with came to support us, so hearing them call my name really resonated. I was happy they cheered so wholeheartedly." Juku-ko's Captain Yamada said, "Sometimes you can't hear the cheering when you're focused on the game, but today I could hear it clearly and it really gave me strength. I felt a surge of 'Takiriki' (the power of making others happy)—the feeling that there are so many people supporting me, and that I will do my best for them." Finally, Captain Hanai sent a message of encouragement to Captain Yamada, saying, "I want you to carry the name of 'Keio' all the way to the top."
Juku-ko will face Yamate Gakuin on July 16 for a spot in the fourth round. Along with Keio Shiki Senior High School, which won its first match in the Saitama Tournament with a walk-off comeback victory, we ask for your continued warm support.