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Uniting across generations: The captain and vice-captain pledge Waseda's counterattack.

Kazuki Kozai, 4th year student School of Sport Sciences, Captain and pitcher, graduate of Kyushu International University High School
Kensei Terao, 4th year student, School of Human Sciences, Vice-Captain and Outfielder, graduate of Saku Chosei High School

From left to right: Kozai and Terao

This year's Waseda team is "a team that competes with students from all grade levels."

—What kind of player and leader do you see each other as?

Terao: Our captain, Kozai, is a very reliable guy. He's very disciplined when practicing on the field and when living in the dorms, and as a pitcher, he has excellent control. He's a dependable guy who makes it easy to get into a rhythm when playing behind him.

Kozai: Kensei Terao is usually a mood-maker and a great leader for the team, and he's a reliable vice-captain who takes charge of the fielders during practice. In terms of playing, he's a strong hitter as the cleanup hitter, and in the field, he's strong at making plays on the ball and has saved the team from many difficult situations with his fine plays.

Terao: This is kind of embarrassing (laughs).

Kozai

--This is the first time since pitcher Takahisa Hayakawa (graduated from the School of Sport Sciences in 2021; professional baseball player for Rakuten) that someone has taken on the important role of both pitcher and captain.

Kozai: Coach Komiyama told me, "This year, we're going to win by focusing on our pitching and defense." I felt that the coach wanted me to lead the pitching staff. Since I can't keep a close eye on the fielders myself, this year we've set up a system where three people are vice-captains among the fielders, and they're dividing the responsibilities well.

Terao: The infielders are being looked after by Yuya Okanishi (4th year, School of Sport Sciences) and Juntaro Yamane (4th year, School of Education), and I'm in charge of the outfielders. Also, since I've been playing as a regular since last year, I want to convey that experience to the team. The same plays can be different at Higashi-Fushimi, where we practice, and at Jingu Stadium, so I want to make sure I communicate those differences clearly.

Terao

--Pitcher Kozai is in his fourth year and is making his debut as a starter. In the opening game of the league season, he delivered a magnificent shutout, allowing only one hit and striking out 13 batters.

Kozai: Until last year, when my pitching got stuck, I tended to resort to a monotonous fastball strategy. I was able to show the results of throwing a lot of pitches during the winter so that I could consistently use a combination of fastballs and breaking balls until the very end in the opening game. It was a game with several "firsts" at once, such as my first start and the team's first official game of the season, so I was nervous, but I think I was able to turn that into motivation and pitch a shutout.

In the first game against the University of Tokyo, which marked the opening of the 2026 Spring League season, Kozai achieved a near-perfect game with no walks, a complete game shutout, and 13 strikeouts (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper).

—In terms of "firsts," there are many players making their first start or first appearance this season, aren't there?

Kozai: Among the pitchers, newcomers like Saito Shiryu (3rd year, School of Humanities and Social Sciences) and Nakamura Shinta (1st year, School of Sport Sciences) are bringing a breath of fresh air to the team. Among the fielders, this year underclassmen like Abe Yota (1st year, School of Sport Sciences) and Tokumaru Kaisei (2nd year, School of Sport Sciences) are leading the team, so the 3rd and 4th year students are also feeling a strong sense of "we can't be left behind."

Saito (left), who delivered a strong relief performance in the third game against Hosei University in the 2026 Spring League season. Nakamura (right), who held the University of Tokyo scoreless for two innings in the third game against the University of Tokyo (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper Club)

Terao: This year's Waseda team is a team that competes with players from all grades. I think that the enthusiasm of the first and second-year students will help us to get even more into the game.

Abe (left), who got his first hit in the second game of the 2026 Spring League against the University of Tokyo. Tokumaru (right), who hit a two-run RBI single in the third game against Hosei University. (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper Club)

From rock bottom to a comeback: Giving our all in every single ball, every single play!

—To reiterate, what kind of competition is the Waseda-Keio match?

Kozai: I remember feeling like I wasn't grounded, like I was floating, when I pitched in the Waseda-Keio game for the first time in the fall of my freshman year. The power of the cheering from the packed stands was incredible, and it was a game with a level of tension I had never experienced before.

Terao: I played in the Waseda-Keio game for the first time in the spring of my second year, and I was surprised that so many spectators came even in the rain. There's a cheering section for Keio University in left field, where I play, but the cheering from the outfield seats and the Alps seats get mixed up and sometimes it confuses me (laughs). It's harder to hear each other's voices than usual, so it makes us more conscious of the importance of communication.

In the second game of the 2026 Spring League season against Hosei University, Terao made a spectacular diving catch to save his team from a dangerous situation (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper).

—Which opponent are you looking forward to playing against at Keio?

Kozai: It's pitcher Watanabe Kazuhiro. Actually, in the summer of my third year of high school, my high school baseball career ended when we lost to Takamatsu Commercial High School, where Watanabe played, at Koshien. The Waseda-Keio game is the perfect opportunity to get revenge directly, and I want to win and finish my college baseball career on a high note. It would be great if I could start and pitch against him, but even if I can't pitch, I want to win as a team.

Terao: Actually, my high school baseball career ended when we lost to Watanabe's Takamatsu Commercial High School team in the summer Koshien tournament. I've been pretty much shut down in the previous Waseda-Keio games, so this time I want to bring victory to the team with my bat.

—What kind of play do you want to show the Waseda University students who will be coming to support you in the Waseda-Keio match?

Kozai: Last fall, in our first game as a new team against the University of Hawaii, we suffered a crushing no-hitter defeat, and Coach Komiyama told us, "We're starting from rock bottom," and that's how our generation began. In order to grow from that rock bottom, we are conscious every day of how seriously we can take the practice in front of us. I want people to feel our full-speed running and how everyone is concentrating on every single pitch and facing baseball head-on.

Terao: I'll say it similarly to what Kozai said, but our generation is a team that puts all our effort into every single play. Within that, my job is to concentrate on my swing. I want to contribute to the team with my strong point, the full swing.

Kozai: And the Waseda-Keio match is not just about us on the field, but also about the supporters joining us as we face off against Keio. Please enjoy the thrilling clash between two universities.

Commemorative items from when Waseda University's baseball team won the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League championship, displayed in the reception room of the Abe Dormitory where the interview took place.

The battle against Keio is "destiny" - childhood friends battery face the big stage

Koki Takahashi, 3rd year student School of Sport Sciences, pitcher, graduate of Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School.
Mikito Ogata, 3rd year student, School of Sport Sciences catcher, graduate of Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School.

From left to right: Takahashi and Ogata.

—You two have been playing together as a battery since elementary school, and you even achieved a national championship at Sendai Ikuei High School. What aspects of each other do you think have improved even more since joining Waseda University?

Takahashi: In Ogata's case, it's not just his technical skills that have improved, but also his attitude towards baseball. I think he's thinking more about the meaning of practice than he did in high school, and he's actively engaging in independent practice.

Ogata: Takahashi's strength in pitching is that he can get swings and misses or foul balls with his fastball. I feel that this year his awareness of "trying to shut them down all by himself" has increased even more.

Photo on the left: The two met when they were in the 6th grade of elementary school at Tome Yukyu Junior High School in their hometown of Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture (Takahashi is on the left, Ogata is on the right).
Photo on the right: Takahashi (left) and Ogata (right), both players from Sendai Ikuei High School, exchange high-fives after their victory against Rissho High School, the Osaka representative, in the third round of the 2023 Summer Koshien tournament.

--In the game against Hosei University in April, he achieved his first complete game. Coach Komiyama also mentioned last year's ace pitcher, Itsuki Ito (graduated from School of Sport Sciences in 2026; plays for Rakuten in professional baseball), and praised him as "Itsuki's successor."

Takahashi: I've always looked up to Itsuki-san, who is also a senior from Sendai Ikuei, so I was genuinely happy. During the winter, I worked hard on training to increase my fastball speed, and I've managed to increase the speed of my breaking balls. I also feel that the quality of my fastball has improved compared to last year. I think one area where I've grown is that I've become able to use the high and low of my pitches effectively and throw them exactly where I want them to go.

(Left) In the second game of the 2026 Spring League against Hosei University, Takahashi pitches a complete game victory, throwing a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 151 km/h and allowing only one run while striking out 10 batters. (Right) From left, Takahashi, Coach Komiyama, and Ogata gather on the mound (Photo courtesy of Waseda Sports Newspaper Club)

—Are there any other memorable words of advice you received from Coach Komiyama?

Takahashi: My coach always tells me, "If you pitch with the mindset that you absolutely cannot be hit, the batters won't be able to hit you easily." I think my complete game against Hosei University was a result of throwing with the mindset that I absolutely cannot be hit.

Ogata: In my case, during a trip to Okinawa in March, I was told, "Even if Ogata throws out a runner stealing a base or stops a difficult pitch, it's expected, so we won't praise him." I realized that the high level of expectations placed upon me was a reflection of their high hopes for me.

Takahashi

—Including pitcher Takahashi, Waseda has many talented pitchers. What do you keep in mind when leading them?

Ogata: Ever since I was at Sendai Ikuei High School, Coach Sue has told me, "Even on hot summer days, be a catcher who can understand the perspective of a baseball fan who is relaxing in a cool room, drinking cola and watching the game on TV." I try to lead with a broad perspective that allows me to think from a fan's point of view, asking questions like, "Why did they throw that pitch in this situation?" or "They should have done it this way."

Ogata

—You had a fierce battle against Keio Senior High School in the Koshien final when you were in your third year of high school, so I imagine you have a special connection to them. How do you feel about finally being able to stand on the big stage of the Waseda-Keio match as a key player?

Takahashi: I consider this to be "destiny," and it's a great honor. If I get the chance to pitch, I have a strong determination to absolutely not lose.

Ogata: There are several members on Keio who played against us in the Koshien finals, so they must also feel that they can't lose to us. I think my high school teammates are also expecting us to get revenge, so I want to fight carrying the hopes of my former teammates with me.

—Which opponent are you particularly looking forward to playing against?

Takahashi: Watanabe has been hit hard by us at Koshien, and he also hit hard in last year's All-Waseda-Keio game, so I want to shut him down this year.

Ogata: I also want to beat Watanabe. He's a fellow catcher, and I've been aware of him since high school, so I really don't want to lose to him. Also, Maruta Minato is the player who hit a home run off me at Koshien. When Maruta hits a home run, the Keio batting lineup gains momentum, so I want to make sure I shut down both of them.

-- Do you have a message for the Waseda University students who will be coming to support you?

Takahashi: I want to show everyone my strong pitching style, relying on my signature fastball. Please cheer me on!

Ogata: The catcher isn't a particularly flashy position, but I want to focus on maintaining composure. I want to play in a way that makes everyone think, "That catcher is really calm."

A motto that each player cherishes. From left to right: Takahashi: "If you have the power to make others happy, good things will come back to you," Terao: "I want people to see my full swing," Kozai: "This year's team goal is to reclaim the Emperor's Cup," Ogata: "Do everything carefully."

Interview and text by: Naoto Oguma (graduated from School of Letters, Arts and Sciences II in 2002)
X: @oguman1977
Photography: Shiori Bansho

Information on the Waseda-Keio match and ticket sales.

[Waseda University Baseball Club]
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Instagram: @waseda_baseball

[Tokyo Big6 Baseball League]
Website: http://www.big6.gr.jp/index.php
Waseda University Baseball Club Blog: http://tokyo6s.com/blog/waseda/

[Official student club "Waseda Sports Newspaper Club"]
Founded in 1959, this pioneering student sports newspaper reports on the activities of all 44 athletic clubs at Waseda University. All aspects of reporting, photography, writing, and editing are handled solely by students.
In addition to publishing a free newspaper 10 times a year (plus special editions), the following website is updated daily with match reports.
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