Japan Pro Softball: Matchups set for the JD.League 2025 Diamond Series
The stage is set for the JD.LEAGUE 2025 Diamond Series, where Japan’s top women’s softball teams will battle for this season’s ultimate crown. Following the conclusion of the Playoffs held this past weekend, the finalists have been determined, setting up an exciting weekend of championship action at Giants Town Stadium in Inagi, Tokyo.
Emerging from the playoffs round, the Bic Camera Takasaki Bee Queen advanced from the East Division, while the Toyota Shining Vega earned their spot from the West. These two teams will join the division champions - Toda Medics Saitama (East) and Toyota Red Terriers (West) - to compete in the semifinals on November 15, with the winners meeting in the Diamond Series Final on November 16.
On Saturday November 15, Toda Medics Saitama will face Bic Camera Takasaki Bee Queen, followed by the matchup between Toyota Red Terriers and Toyota Shining Vega. The winners of both games will play the final on Sunday, November 16, at 1 p.m. local time.
In last weekend’s playoffs, Yukiko Ueno led BicCamera Takasaki to a 7–6 victory over Honda Reverta, clinching a spot in the Diamond Series. Ueno pitched the first six innings, handing the ball to Misaki Katsumata to close the game with a 7–1 lead. However, the reliever allowed one run and left the bases loaded with no outs, forcing Ueno to re-enter the circle. The two-time Olympic gold medallist gave up two hits and a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to 7–6, but finished strong with a pair of strikeouts to seal the win and send her team to the semifinals.
In the other playoff matchup, Toyota Shining Vega edged Hitachi Sundiva 2–1, backed by an excellent pitching performance from Dallas Escobedo, who threw 5.2 innings to earn the win. Kano Origuchi homered for Hitachi in the fourth inning. However, in the bottom of the same inning, Momoka Ikegami doubled to left field with a runner on first, and the run came home to score the go-ahead (and eventual game-winning) run after a throwing error by the Hitachi shortstop on the relay to the plate.
Earlier, in the first round of the playoffs, Hitachi Sundiva defeated Iyo Bank Vertz 3–1, advancing to the second stage.