Daegu:The Samsung Lions have reclaimed their position at the pinnacle of South Korean baseball. The Lions decisively defeated the KT Wiz with a score of 12-1 in Game 5 of the Korean Series, held at the Daegu Samsung Lions Park. This victory on Sunday secured the Lions their first Korean Series title in 12 years, concluding the best-of-seven series.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lions broke the game open with an explosive eight-run fifth inning in front of a full house consisting of 23,550 spectators. Pitcher Won Tae-in contributed significantly to the victory by allowing just one run over five innings. Captain Koo Ja-wook was instrumental in the win, going 3-for-5 and scoring twice, earning him the Korean Series MVP award.
The Lions overcame a challenging start, having lost the series opener on the road in Suwon. They then mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the next four games consecutively, including three straight victories at their home ground in Daegu. The KT Wiz, who had the best record in the regular season, had secured a direct entry to the Korean Series. Despite finishing second in the regular season, eight games behind the Wiz, the Lions' triumph marks them as the first No. 2 seed to win the Korean Series since the 2018 SK Wyverns. The Wiz, who were aiming for their first title since 2021, finished as runners-up in the 2023 Korean Series.