Yukari Hamamura’s gem, pair of home runs give Bic Camera Takasaki first-ever JD.League title

Yukari Hamamura’s gem, pair of home runs give Bic Camera Takasaki first-ever JD.League title
17/11/2022
Bic Camera Takasaki defeated Toyota Shinning Vega, 2-1, in the final of the Diamond Series. Hamamura pitched the complete game, while Kanna Kudo and Yamato Fujita hit solo shots for the champions.

Bic Camera Takasaki claimed the first-ever JD.League title with a narrow 2-1 victory over Toyota Shinning Vega, in the final of the Diamond Series. Yukari Hamamura pitched the complete game for the winners, while Kanna Kudo and Yamato Fujita hit solo home runs to produce the two runs of the game. The JD.League Series was played at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba.

Bic Camera advanced to the final after a 2-1 win against Hitachi Sundiva on Saturday, with another complete-game performance by Hamamura; while Shinning Vega defeated Toyota Red Terriers 2-0 in eight innings, in Monica Abbott’s last game in the Japanese pro league. 

Many Olympians and international players received an individual award after the end of the season. Japan’s Fujita, Hikaru Agatsuma and Nodoka Harada made the ideal team in the East Division, while Miu Goto (JPN), Stacey Porter (AUS), and Erika Piancastelli (ITA) were named to the West Division best team. 

Retiring players Abbott and Eri Yamada received a special award for their outstanding career.

It’s the fourth title in a row for Bic Camera Takasaki in the professional Japanese softball. The team had won the last three editions of the Japanese Softball League, which was replaced by the rebranded and renewed JD.League.