The Keio University Baseball Club sealed victory in the 2026 Spring Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, capturing their 41st league title and their first in five seasons.
Their outstanding performances earned five players from the club spots on the 2026 Spring League Best Nine team, which honors the top player at each position.
Among the five awardees, four are from Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC):
・Keisuke Imazu, team captain (4th year, Faculty of Policy Management)
・Yamato Obara (4th year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)
・Junji Hayashi (3rd year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)
・Haruto Nakatsuka (3rd year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)
A full report on the title-clinching match and victory celebration is available in Japanese here:
東京六大学野球5季ぶりの優勝 神宮から三田へのパレード、三田山上祝賀会を開催 (First Tokyo Big6 Title in five seasons: victory parade from Jingu to Mita and celebration at Mita Campus).
The team also took second place in the Japan National Collegiate Baseball Championship, held from June 8 to 14, with Junji Hayashi receiving the Fighting Spirit Award (kantōshō). Full coverage of the championship tournament is available in Japanese here:
全日本大学野球選手権で準優勝 (Runner-up at the Japan National Collegiate Baseball Championship).
Following their championship win and Best Nine honors, SFC awardees shared their reflections and gratitude.
Keisuke Imazu:
I want to thank everyone who supported us throughout the spring league. Your encouragement gave us tremendous strength and propelled us all the way to the championship title. Thank you for always standing with us.
In the wake of last year’s frustrating results, my focus as captain this season was ensuring the team moved forward as one cohesive unit. Every player embraced their role and showed incredible resilience even in the toughest moments, which ultimately won us this title.
We won’t rest on our laurels as we work to build a stronger team and claim the national title that eluded us this past spring.
Yamato Obara:
I am truly honored to receive this wonderful award.
With the DH rule introduced just this year, I am thrilled and proud to be named as the first-ever Best Nine designated hitter.
At the same time, I am disappointed that we fell short of our ultimate team goal of winning the national title. I won’t settle for winning this individual award and will keep working to take my game to the next level. Together as a team, we’ll do everything we can to bring home the national championship.
Junji Hayashi:
I want to thank the Keio alumni, students, and everyone who supported us. Without them, winning the league title and earning a place on the Best Nine wouldn’t have been possible.
After three straight seasons finishing in fifth place, we entered spring training with one goal in mind: to win the league championship and the national title. We put in the work every single day, united in our quest for victory. On a personal level, I set my sights on becoming the best shortstop in the league. I couldn’t have grown as a player without the constant guidance of our coaches and the backing of Mita-kai alumni.
We aren’t taking any of this for granted. Heading into the fall season, we’re going after another league title and the national championship.
Haruto Nakatsuka:
I am deeply honored to be named to the Best Nine. Receiving this award within the context of our team’s league title makes it especially meaningful.
I want to express my sincere thanks to the Keio alumni and everyone who stood behind us: your cheers were the source of our strength. I look forward to building on this experience to grow as a player and welcome the opportunity to further contribute to the team.
Released by: Office of General Affairs at Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)