The younger brother of Chiba Lotte Marines’ Roki Sasaki 카지노(22), Reiki Sasaki (18), failed to fulfil his brother’s dream of reaching the Koshien.
Japanese media Nikkan Sports reported on the 21st that “Ofunato High School lost 1-3 to Morioka No. 1 High School in the third game of the High School Baseball Iwate Tournament. Sophomore Reiki Sasaki, the younger brother of Roki Sasaki, started the game, but it was his last appearance as he gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in 2⅔ innings.”
Roki Sasaki is a special ace who became the youngest player in Nippon Professional Baseball to throw a perfect game last year. Known for his hard-hitting fastball that reaches speeds of up to 165km/h, he is 7-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 12 games (79 innings) this season.
Roki Sasaki, who has been a fan favourite since his high school days with a fastball in excess of 160km/h, was the ace of Ofunato High School, leading his team to the final of the Iwate tournament. However, he struggled a bit in the tournament and did not pitch in the final due to the high pitch count, and his team lost 2-12 and failed to qualify for Koshien. Younger brother Reiki Sasaki followed in his older brother’s footsteps as the ace of Ofunato High School, but ended his summer with a quarter-final loss.
Roki Sasaki with the Japanese national team at the World Baseball Classic. /OSEN DB
Nikkan Sports wrote, “Sasaki Reiki wiped away the tears that kept flowing. “After four years since 2019, when they finished as runners-up thanks to their older brother’s performance, they failed to reach the quarter-finals, and their final summer came to an end,” said Reiki Sasaki, who lamented their exit from the tournament.
“I’m really disappointed,” said a tearful Reiki Sasaki, “I wanted to win today and pitch well to move on, but it didn’t go my way.”
Roki Sasaki with the Japanese national team at the World Baseball Classic. /OSEN DB
Sasaki was originally a shortstop, but due to team circumstances, he switched to pitching last autumn. He wears the same number as his brother and has quickly developed into an ace, with his fastball reaching up to 143km/h. However, her older brother’s fame has also put pressure on her.
“In many ways, it wasn’t the best environment for me to play baseball,” he admits, “but with everyone’s support, I was able to play until today. I think I was supported by the best teammates.” “I hope that my school will go to Koshien next year because it ended so badly. For now, I’m thinking of going to university,” he said of his future plans.