First Championship Win in 42 Years: Defeats Yonsei University 12-5 in Final to Lift the Trophy
The Kyungnam University baseball team achieved a historic victory on the 20th, winning the long-awaited championship at the 58th Presidential National University Baseball Tournament, held at the Sunshine Miryang Sports Park baseball stadium, 42 years after the team’s founding.
Team photo of Kyungnam University Baseball Club winning the Presidential Cup National Baseball Tournament.
The Presidential National University Baseball Tournament is the most prestigious collegiate baseball competition held annually in South Korea. Driven by a relentless determination to win, Kyungnam University has devoted itself to improving its skills through intensive training, including a winter training camp in the Philippines in 2024.
Kyungnam University started the tournament on a high note, defeating Seoul National University 14-2 in their first game on July 31. They continued their winning streak with a 16-9 victory over Hongik University, an 8-0 win against Inha University, and an 8-6 triumph over Daedeok University, advancing to the semifinals. In a dramatic semifinal against Korea University, the team clinched a 7-6 victory after a 10th-inning tiebreaker, reaching the finals for the first time in 21 years since 2003.
In the final, Kyungnam University faced Yonsei University, a traditional powerhouse in college baseball. The game began with a home run by Noh Kyungmin in the top of the first inning, followed by a double from Kim Jihoon and a home run from Bae Taeho, earning a total of four runs and solidifying their reputation as the "Home Run Kyungnam University."
The home run showcase continued. In the top of the third inning, the speedy Kim Jihoon reached third base on an infield hit, and Lee Junseo hit a home run over the left-center fence, extending the lead to 6-0. By the end of the third inning, three two-run home runs had been hit, showcasing the team’s unstoppable momentum.
Yonsei University scored two runs in the fifth inning to mount a comeback, but in the sixth inning, Choi Haechang hit a solo home run to make it 7-3. In the seventh, In Seokwoo, who had a multi-hit game, drove in another run, bringing the score to 8-3.
In the eighth inning, hits from Son Minjun and Kim Minsu, including a two-run homer by Kim Minsu and a hit by Kim Jihoon, resulted in four consecutive batters reaching base. Choi Haechang then delivered a crucial RBI hit, adding four more runs. The final score was 12-5. With this victory, Kyungnam University, which had never before lifted the championship trophy, conquered the national stage 42 years after its founding in 1982, earning the title of "first-ever champions" and opening a new chapter in its history.
The tournament’s Best Manager Award went to Coach Shin Kyunghyun, the MVP to Noh Kyungmin, the Best Pitcher Award to Yoo Seungje, and the Achievement Award to Bae Taeho.
Coach Shin said, "First of all, I want to thank the players, coaching staff, and parents who never gave up and did their best despite difficult and challenging circumstances."
He added, "All of these achievements were possible thanks to the support from President Park Jaekyu of Kyungnam University, the Student Affairs Office, and the Hanma family, who encouraged us and helped our players perform at their best."
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