'Wontaein's Strong Pitching and Choi Juhwan's Three-Run Homer' Kim Kyungmoonho Defeats Sangmu 9-0 in First Evaluation Game

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] South Korea's national baseball team, participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, completely dominated the Sangmu Baseball Team in their first real match.

Led by manager Kim Kyung-moon, the national team won decisively 9-0 in the evaluation match against Sangmu held on the 23rd at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. This was their first evaluation match since assembling on the 17th.

Starting pitcher Won Tae-in delivered an excellent performance with 3 innings pitched, allowing 1 hit, striking out 2, and giving up no runs. His fastball reached a top speed of 147 km/h, maintaining an average of 145 km/h. Following him, Choi Won-jun (Doosan Bears) pitched 3 innings with 1 hit allowed and no runs, while Cha Woo-chan (LG Twins), Cho Sang-woo (Kiwoom Heroes), and Oh Seung-hwan (Samsung) each pitched 1 inning without allowing any runs, contributing to the victory.

While the pitching staff shut down the Sangmu batting lineup without allowing any runs, the national team’s lead-off hitter Park Hae-min (Samsung) led the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBIs in 4 at-bats. Substitute Choi Joo-hwan (SSG Landers) sealed the victory with a three-run home run in the top of the 7th inning.

On this day, the national team positioned Park Hae-min (center field) and Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom, left field) as the 1st and 2nd table setters, with the core batting lineup from 3rd to 5th consisting of Kim Hyun-soo (LG, designated hitter), Kang Baek-ho (kt wiz, right field), and Oh Jae-il (Samsung, first base). From the 6th batter onward, the lineup was Kang Min-ho (Samsung, catcher) - Heo Kyung-min (Doosan, third base) - Oh Ji-hwan (LG, shortstop) - Kim Hye-sung (Kiwoom, second base).

From mid-game, the national team utilized all 13 position players, including substitutes Choi Joo-hwan, Yang Eui-ji (NC Dinos), Park Kun-woo (Doosan), and Hwang Jae-gyun (kt).

Meanwhile, the national team will play three evaluation matches, facing LG Twins on the 24th and Kiwoom Heroes on the 25th, before departing for Japan on the 26th.