He pitched a 10-strikeout complete game win in Yokohama Senior High's first-round match against Hōtoku Gakuen High School; an 11-inning, 14-strikeout complete game shutout in a thrilling 1–0 win in extra innings over Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School (an affiliate school of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies) in the second round; and a 12-strikeout complete game win over Meitoku Gijuku Senior High School in the third round, "Chiba Keizaidai reaches quarters" The Japan Times clocking speeds as high as 147 kmph with his fastball.