Saga Kita High School edged Seiran Taido of Tochigi 5–4 in a 10th-inning tiebreak at Hanshin Koshien Stadium on 9 August, sealing its first opening-round victory at the National High School Baseball Championship since the school’s 2007 championship run. With the bases loaded and no outs, Yuta Yamashita laid down a squeeze bunt that dribbled in front of the mound, allowing the winning run to score. Day 5 produced another extra-inning thriller when West Japan Tanki University Fuzoku (Fukuoka) defeated Hirosaki Gakuin Sei-ai (Aomori) 4–3, also in the 10th-inning tiebreak. Earlier, second-year left-hander Akira Takabe guided Sei Rei Christopher of Shizuoka past Meishu Hitachi (Ibaraki) 5–1, and Meihou (Oita) won its fifth consecutive tournament appearance opener by beating Ichifunahashi (Chiba) 6–2. The fifth day of the 107th Summer Koshien featured several standout defensive moments, including Saga Kita first baseman Junto Miyazaki’s diving catch over the photographer’s box that preserved a tie in the late innings. Attendance and television audiences remained strong as 49 regional champions continue their quest for the national title. Second-round play resumes on Sunday, with winners from the opening week looking to extend their runs toward the championship game scheduled for 23 August.