Hiroki Kokubo made his first hit of the season an unforgettable one, roping a game-winning single in the ninth inning as the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks beat the Chiba Lotte Marines 5-4 on Saturday afternoon.
Kokubo, who was playing in his second game of the year after returning from a right-thumb injury he sustained in the season opener, hit a two-out single to deep center with runners at first and second, bringing home Yuichi Honda for the winning run at Kamoike Stadium.
"It feels like a dream to me, I'm exhilarated," said Kokubo after lifting Softbank to its third win in a row.