Daejeon: Less than 24 hours after his team staged a comeback win in the Korean Series, Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon expressed his desire for the players to maintain their momentum. The Eagles, having initially stumbled with two losses in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) championship round in Seoul, revived their prospects with a 7-3 victory in Game 3 at home in Daejeon.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Eagles were trailing 3-1 as they entered the bottom of the eighth inning, facing the possibility of a 3-0 deficit in the series. However, they managed a six-run rally during that inning, turning the game in their favor. Manager Kim noted the players’ improved spirits following the victory, stating, “Our players looked dejected after those two early losses, but I am sure a big weight has been lifted off their shoulders after our win here.”
In Game 4, shortstop Sim Woo-jun will start for the first time in this series. Sim, who was a pinch runner in the previous game, was caught stealing but later contributed a crucial two-run double in the eighth inning. Manager Kim remarked, “That hit was a huge boost not just for the team but for Woo-jun himself.”
The performance of closer Kim Seo-hyeon was another highlight, despite a wild pitch that allowed an inherited runner to score. Manager Kim plans to use the young pitcher, who pitched 1 2/3 innings on Wednesday, again in Thursday’s game. “These are the last games we will play this year, and he will take the ball when the situation calls for it,” Kim said, indicating the potential for Seo-hyeon to pitch in consecutive games.