Akino Tanaka

Akino Tanaka (田中 露朝)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 4", Weight 117 lb.

• School Shobi University
• High School Fukuchiyama Seibi High School

• Born June 13, 1996 in Uda, Nara Japan

Biographical Information

Akino Tanaka has pitched for the Japanese women's national team.

Tanaka debuted in the 2016 Women's Baseball World Cup, relieving Moemi Yoshii in the 5th inning of a 12-0 mercy rule win over the Netherlands. She retired Marije Filius on a grounder and struck out Bianca Mooi before Anouk Vergunst reached on an error and Tanaka walked Sofie van de Wiel. She recovered to fan Winke Verdick to complete the shutout. She struck out two of four batters in a win over Taiwan and retired all four batters in a win over South Korea. Japan won the Gold; she tied for 2nd in the Cup in wins, one behind Ayami Sato.

In the 2018 Women's Baseball World Cup, she again was a fine reliever for Japan. Against Canada, she was called on to save a 2-1 win for Sato; she struck out Mia Valcke. Daphnée Gelinas singled, Nicole Luchanski struck out and Kelsey Lalor singled but Tanaka escaped the jam as Jenna Flannigan hit into a force. She pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings against Australia and Venezuela combined. She saved another win for Sato in the Gold Medal Game against Taiwan; relieving with a 6-0 lead, she retired all six batters (Ya-Bo Wen [K], Chi Tseng, Ya-Ling Tsai [K], Yu-Ying Hsieh, Chi Lin [K], Yu-Hsuan Chen). She tied for 5th in the Cup with four games pitched and was the only hurler with multiple saves. She did not make the All-World Team as Meggie Meidlinger was named the top reliever.

The right-hander starred in the 2023 Women's Baseball Asian Cup. In her first appearance, she faced Indonesia and went 1-2-3 against Filidia Chandra Ulyani, Febina Fitriani and Rania Rafidhia, striking out the latter two. She whiffed Kalya Putri Aulia Zahra to open the second then got Afiska Louhenapessy and Ilka Arunia Emogene. Mizuki Bando took over and completed the four-inning mercy rule perfect game. She started against Taiwan in the Gold Medal Game and went five shutout (three hits, one walk, four whiffs) before Bando closed out the win over Chiao-Chi Lai. She tied Kana Onodera and Sato for 7th in the event in IP (7), tied Onodera and Sato for the best ERA and tied Sato for fourth in strikeouts. She was named event MVP though Onodera was named the top starting pitcher.