In, Saito enrolled in Waseda University as a social sciences major, pitching in the opener of the spring season of the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League against the University of Tokyo and earning the first win of his college career.
In, Saito enrolled in Waseda University as a social sciences major, pitching in the opener of the spring season of the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League against the University of Tokyo on April 14. He threw six shutout innings, striking out eight and allowing just one hit and earning the first win of his college career.