After winning last season's Japan Series the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks lost their three best pitchers and an All-Star shortstop.
Instead of rebuilding, the Hawks reloaded, riding ace Tadashi Settsu and another strong year on the mound to a third-place finish in the Pacific League, earning another trip to the Climax Series.
The Hawks beat the Seibu Lions in an epic 12-inning contest at Yahoo Dome to close out the final stage of the 2011 Climax Series and are hoping to cage the cats again this year.