SSG, led by head coach Lee Sung-yong, won 5-3 in a practice match against the Lions of Taiwan Professional Baseball (CPBL) at Tainan City Baseball Stadium on the 27th.
After graduating from Dongsan High School and Busan National University of Science and Technology, Choi Hyun-suk, who was drafted by the SSG as the 40th pick in the fourth round of the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft, was selected and allowed two hits, one walk, and one strikeout and no run during the two innings, living up to expectations. Song Young-jin and Lee Woo-woon, who are in their second year this year, also showed their presence by allowing no run. 먹튀검증
In the batting lineup, Choo Shin-soo, the second batter who played as a table setter with Jihoon Choi, achieved multi hits by making two hits and one RBI in two at-bats. Ahn Sang-hyun, who won the MVP of the first spring camp, continued his upward trend by hitting three bases including two hits. Kim Chang-pyeong, who played as a substitute, also had a walk and a triple, and played multi-baseball.
On the same day, SSG lined up in the order of Jihoon Choi (middle fielder), Choo Shin-soo (designated hitter), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Ha Jae-hoon (right fielder), Ko Young-joon (first baseman), Kim Chan-hyung (third baseman), Ahn Sang-hyun (second baseman), Cho Hyung-woo (catcher), and Park Ji-hwan (striker).
With starter Choi Hyun-suk blocking two scoreless innings, the second pitcher Lee Kun-wook came to the mound and dedicated one run in the bottom of the third inning.
However, SSG's batters immediately launched counterattack. Ha Jae-hoon, the leadoff hitter, drove in his opponent with a double in the top of the fourth inning, and Kim Chan-hyung hit a timely hit to balance the opponent with one RBI after Ko Myung-joon hit a fly ball to the left field.
Ahn Sang-hyun's hit later, and Cho Hyung-woo and Park Ji-hwan made a timely RBI. This was not the end. Choo Shin-soo's sacrifice fly and Kang Jin-sung's timely RBI single widened the gap to 5-1.
Tungi immediately followed one point in the bottom of the fourth inning and added one point in the bottom of the eighth inning to narrow the distance from SSG, but the SSG bullpen kept the lead until the end to complete the victory.
"I was worried about the condition of the players due to the time difference, but it was unfortunate," coach Lee said after the game. "The players performed better than expected, and the Futures players especially prepared well. This is all thanks to the well-prepared coaching staff of the Futures League. I hope that the cooperation and communication system with the Futures League will be established and maintained as it is now."
"It must have been hard and difficult because it was the first game, but all the players had good concentration, and the good defense of rookie players such as Park Ji-hwan and Chung Hyun-seung stood out. We had a good start, so we will continue to have a good atmosphere until the end," he added.
Choo Shin-soo, who was named the MVP of the fielders, said, "Actually, it is more burdensome to be named MVP. Through today's game, I felt that everything we prepared for the camp was going well," adding, "From the rookie player to the team, all the team members continued the game well. I hope all the players finish their schedules without injury during the remaining second camp."
"I was fine until the night before, but I think I was at my peak before the game. After taking the bus in the morning, I realized how nervous I was when I saw the seniors. I came to the baseball stadium while staying still for an hour and a half," Choi Hyun-suk, who was named pitcher MVP, said.
"My first goal was to pitch aggressively today, and my goal was to win at a fast count. My breaking ball was not good at the beginning, so I think I was able to pull out the bats of batters by playing fastball against my body. I felt that I was not good enough because I experienced my first camp in the first division, and I want to join the first division by maximizing my strengths," he said.
Rookie Park Ji-hwan, who recorded his first hit and RBI, said, "I was nervous at the beginning of the game, but I felt a little relaxed over time. The opponent is definitely a professional team, so (the opponent's) strength is good in his first at-bat, and the timing seems a little late, so I put more timing in front of him in the second at-bat and aimed for a fastball with a full count, and good results came out."
Park Ji-hwan, who had high expectations since joining the team, said, "I felt good because all the seniors congratulated me on my first hit and gave me a high five," adding, "I think the future is more important because I played one game now. I will work harder and try to remain in the first team."
SSG will play its second practice match against Tungyi at the same venue on the 28th.