The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks clinched their second consecutive Japan Series title Wednesday night, overcoming an early two-run deficit to beat the Yokohama DeNA BayStars 4–2 at Mizuho PayPay Dome.

The victory completed a four-game sweep and secured the franchise’s 13th championship, their eighth since 2014.

DeNA struck first when Keita Sano hit a two-run homer off Yugo Maeda in the opening inning. But after three straight extra-inning losses, the BayStars again failed to protect their lead.

SoftBank broke through against Kentaro Taira in the fourth. Tomoya Masaki drew a leadoff walk before Ukyo Shuto replaced him at first on a failed bunt attempt. Shuto stole second, and after Kensuke Kondo struck out, DeNA intentionally walked Ryoya Kurihara to face Yudai Yamamoto.

The former BayStars catcher made his old team pay, driving a two-run triple down the right-field line to tie the game. Adding to the irony, the ball went past outfielder Tomoya Inoue, who was part of the trade that sent Yamamoto to the Hawks in May.

Yuki Yanagita followed with a single up the middle, putting SoftBank ahead 3–2. Yamamoto added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to finish with three RBI.

Maeda allowed two runs over 4 ⅔ innings before SoftBank’s bullpen took over. Five relievers combined for 4 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and no walks. Kazuki Sugiyama closed it out with a strikeout on Shion Matsuo for his third save of the series.

Masaki was named Japan Series MVP after going 7 for 16 with two home runs, including his walk-off shot in Game 3.