【WBC 2026】Samurai Japan Sweeps Warm-up Series! Maki and Morishita Blast Homers in 7-3 Victory Over Dragons

As the countdown to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) 2026 continues, the favorite Samurai Japan is reaching its peak form!

In the second match of the "Luxas Samurai Japan Series 2026 Nagoya" held today (Feb 28) at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Samurai Japan showcased terrifying long-ball power, ultimately defeating the Chunichi Dragons 7-3 to sweep the two-game series.

Match Highlights

1. Power Duo: Homers by Maki and Morishita

Early in the game, Japan's lineup put immense pressure on the Dragons' pitching staff:

Shugo Maki: Ignited the scoreboard with a towering solo home run to left field, giving Japan an early lead.
Shota Morishita: Followed up with another home run, showcasing his exceptional hitting ability and helping Japan establish early dominance.

2. The Big 5th Inning

The Japanese team launched a fierce offensive in the top of the 5th inning, scoring 5 runs in a single frame to break the game wide open.

3. Solid Pitching Performance

Although the Dragons attempted a late comeback by scoring 3 runs, Samurai Japan's bullpen remained composed, effectively suppressing the opposition to secure the win.

Score Summary

| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | : :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Samurai Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | | Chunichi Dragons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |

(Note: Detailed records are subject to official final announcements)

Observation and Outlook

Through these two matches against the Dragons, the head coach has confirmed the current form of several key hitters:

Lineup Depth: The power displayed by Maki and Morishita proves the destructive potential of the core lineup.
Tactical Execution: The explosive 5th inning demonstrated excellent mobility and plate discipline.
Defensive Stability: Despite being a warm-up game, the overall defensive positioning and chemistry are already at tournament levels.

Starting tomorrow, Samurai Japan will move to Tokyo for final preparations before their preliminary round opener.

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