'Park Se-woong's Strong Pitching' WBC National Team's First Win... Slim Hope for Quarterfinals (Update)

Se-woong Park Pitches 4.2 Scoreless Innings... 7-3 Victory Over Czech Republic
Ha-seong Kim Hits 2 Home Runs... Final Match Against China on the 13th

Park Se-woong emerged as a hero in turbulent times at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

On the 12th, Park Se-woong started as the pitcher for South Korea in their third group stage game against the Czech Republic at the Tokyo Dome in Japan during the 2023 WBC Pool B. He pitched 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit, striking out eight, and giving up no runs. Led by Park Se-woong's strong performance, the national team defeated the Czech Republic 7-3, securing their precious first win after two losses in the group stage. With a record of 1 win and 2 losses, the team kept a slim hope alive for advancing to the quarterfinals.

Park Se-woong [Photo by Yonhap News]

In the top of the 1st inning, Park Se-woong shut down the Czech offense with two strikeouts and a perfect three-up, three-down inning. In the bottom of the 1st, the national team scored five runs, easing the pressure on Park Se-woong's shoulders.

Leadoff hitter Park Geon-woo hit a double to center field and advanced to third base on a defensive error by the opponent. Although second batter Kim Ha-seong was out on a foul fly to third base, third batter Lee Jung-hoo brought Park Geon-woo home with a single to center field.

The team extended their lead to 2-0 with consecutive hits by cleanup hitter Park Byung-ho and fifth batter Kang Baek-ho, and continued the rally with a walk by sixth batter Yang Eui-ji, creating a bases-loaded situation with one out. Seventh batter Choi Jeong struck out, but eighth batter Kim Hyun-soo drew a walk to add another run, making the score 3-0. In the continued bases-loaded opportunity, ninth batter Tony Hyun-soo Edman hit a sharp single to shortstop, adding two more runs. The national team scored five runs in the bottom of the 1st inning by sending all nine batters to the plate.

Park Se-woong continued his strong pitching in the 2nd inning by striking out three batters. The national team added one more run in the bottom of the 2nd, extending the lead to 6-0. Kim Ha-seong, leading off the inning, recorded his first hit of the tournament with a home run.

Park Se-woong kept the opposing offense perfect through the 4th inning. In the 5th inning, he allowed a double to the leadoff batter but retired the next two batters before handing the mound over to Kwak Bin. Kwak Bin struck out a batter with runners on second and two outs, ending the 5th inning without allowing a run. He then retired the side in order in the 6th inning but faced trouble in the 7th after giving up consecutive hits to the first two batters. Relief pitcher Jung Cheol-won came in but gave up a two-run double to Martin Muzik, allowing two runs.

In the bottom of the 7th, Kim Ha-seong led off with a solo home run, extending the lead to 7-2. Although the national team conceded one run on a wild pitch by Lee Yong-chan with bases loaded and two outs in the 8th inning, they finished the game without further runs allowed.

Kim Ha-seong [Photo by Yonhap News]

With a record of 1 win and 2 losses, the national team ranked 4th in Pool B behind Japan (3 wins), Australia (2 wins), and the Czech Republic (1 win, 1 loss). China is at the bottom of Pool B with 3 losses. The team shares a 2-2 record with Australia and the Czech Republic, maintaining a slim chance to advance to the quarterfinals. For this scenario to be possible, the national team must win their final game against China tomorrow, Japan must defeat Australia in the evening game on the 12th, and the Czech Republic must beat Australia in the daytime game on the 13th.

If Australia, the Czech Republic, and South Korea all finish with a 2-2 record, the quarterfinalist will be determined among the three teams based on head-to-head results, lowest runs allowed ratio, lowest earned run average, team batting average, and finally a draw.