Hayul Kim Named MVP for Gritty Performance at Hoengseong Hanuri Cup

Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team Wins National Youth Baseball Tournament
Defeats Gyeonggi HBC 8-7 in the Finals

Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team recently won the championship trophy at the 2025 Hoengseong Hanuri National Youth Baseball Tournament Junior League (U-16) finals.
Photo by Baseball Team Provided

Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team claimed victory at the 2025 Hoengseong Hanuri National Youth Baseball Tournament Junior League (U-16) finals, narrowly defeating HBC from Gyeonggi Province with a score of 8-7.

This tournament, organized by the Korea Youth Baseball Federation, was held over four days starting from June 21 at Hoengseong Baseball Park in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Province, the mecca of youth baseball, across a total of six fields. A total of 80 teams participated, with approximately 2,000 people taking part in the event.

The tournament was conducted in a preliminary group league and final tournament format, with fierce competition for the championship trophies in six divisions: Sprout League (U-9), Dream Tree League (U-11), Youth League (U-13), and Junior League (U-16). The event was sponsored by Hoengseong-gun, Hoengseong-gun Sports Council, SOOP, Growing Up, Usana Healthpak.

According to a representative from the baseball team, Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team, which won the Junior League (U-16), advanced to the finals with four consecutive victories and delivered a spectacular match against HBC. In the top of the first inning, HBC took an early lead with a center-field single by Laon Choi, followed by hit-by-pitches to Eunwoo Choi and Haram Shim, and a two-RBI center-field single by Onchan Lee. In the bottom of the first, Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team narrowed the gap to 2-1 with a right-field single by Sangwon Hwang. HBC added one run each in the top of the second and third innings, leading 4-1, but in the bottom of the third, Sihoo Song’s triple to right-center brought in two runs, making it a close 4-3 game. In the top of the fifth, HBC appeared to be securing the win with a one-RBI center-field single by Laon Choi and a two-RBI center-field single by Byeongseon Kim, extending the lead to 7-3. However, in the bottom of the sixth and final inning, Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team mounted a comeback, starting with a left-field single by Sihoo Song, a three-RBI double to left-center by Hayul Kim, a one-RBI left-field single by Jiyong An, and a game-winning infield grounder by Eunchong Shin, scoring five runs to overturn the game to 8-7 and secure the championship trophy.

Player HaYul Kim, who won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.

After the game, Hayul Kim of Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team, who delivered a decisive three RBIs and excelled in both offense and defense throughout the tournament, was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Jiyong An also received the Outstanding Player Award.

Upon receiving the MVP honor, Hayul Kim said, "I am happy that our team won the championship. I think we were able to come from behind in the final inning because we had confidence that we could win and trust in our teammates. The manager and coaches led us well, which made this victory possible. I want to work even harder and grow into a player who represents Korea."

Dongjin Lim, manager of Sejong Inter Middle Baseball Team and recipient of the Manager Award, stated, "First, I want to dedicate this honor to the players, coaches, and parents who worked hard for the team's victory. I also thank the Sejong City Baseball Association for their great support. If things go well, our first professional baseball player may debut as early as this year. I will continue to guide the team with humility and strive to make us a model team."