ドラフト候補の慶大・清原Jr.が父清原和博にホームラン届ける［2024.9.29］

敗色濃厚な9回2死。慶大の清原正吾（4年＝慶応）が明大・大川の初球の変化球をフルスイング。豪快にバックスクリーン左にたたき込んで、引き分けに持ち込んだ。それまで3打席2三振と苦しんだが最後の最後で4番の仕事を果たした。

一塁ベースを回ると渾身のガッツポーズ。何度もこぶしを突き上げ、ベンチに戻ってもお祭り騒ぎ。スタンドでは父・和博氏も息子の一発に周囲からお祝いされ笑顔。プロ志望届を提出してドラフトが注目されるが、この日の本塁打は強烈なアピール弾となった。

（以下は試合後のコメント）

　――振り返って。

「本当に3打席、情けない結果で終わってしまったので最後4番として役割、仕事をしなきゃなと思って、覚悟を決めて、腹をくくって打席に入りました」

　――うれしい1号。

「本当に芯でほぼ完璧な当たりでした。（父が観戦する中で）僕が大学で（野球を）始めたときの目標の1つとして、ホームランボールをプレゼントすると、ずっと掲げてきた。本当にやっとですけど、1号出たのはうれしい気持ちです」

◇清原　正吾（きよはら・しょうご）2002年（平14）8月23日生まれ、東京都出身の22歳。小3から「オール麻布」で野球を始め、中学はバレーボール部、慶応高ではアメリカンフットボール部でタイトエンドとして活躍＝写真＜上＞、提供写真。弟の勝児は慶応（神奈川）で昨夏の日本一に輝くなど2度の甲子園出場。1メートル86、90キロ。右投げ右打ち。

■英訳　

With two outs in the ninth inning, facing an imminent defeat, Keio University’s Shogo Kiyohara (4th year, Keio) took a full swing at the first breaking ball thrown by Meiji University’s Okawa. With a powerful hit, he sent it soaring left of the back screen, tying the game. Despite struggling with two strikeouts in his previous three at-bats, he fulfilled his role as the cleanup hitter at the very last moment.

As he rounded first base, he pumped his fist with all his might, celebrating multiple times and continued the festivities back in the dugout. In the stands, his father, Kazuhiro, was all smiles as those around him congratulated him on his son’s shot. Having submitted his professional application, Kiyohara’s home run was a bold showcase for the upcoming draft.

(Post-game comments)

—Looking back.

“Honestly, my first three at-bats ended in disappointing results, so I knew I had to fulfill my role as the cleanup hitter in the last at-bat. I stepped up to the plate with determination, fully prepared to do my job.”

—Your first home run, a joyous moment.

“It was a nearly perfect hit off the sweet spot. (With my father watching) since I started playing baseball at university, one of my goals has always been to give him a home run ball as a gift. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m truly happy to have hit my first one.”

◇ Shogo Kiyohara (Kiyohara, Shogo): Born August 23, 2002 (age 22), from Tokyo. Started baseball in third grade with “All Azabu,” played volleyball in middle school, and served as a tight end for the American football team at Keio High. His younger brother, Katsuki, led Keio (Kanagawa) to victory at the national tournament last summer and has made two Koshien appearances. Stands at 186 cm, weighs 90 kg, bats and throws right-handed.

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