14 hits, starter Choi Seung-yong, no runs in 2 innings
The day before, we won 2-0 in the first friendly match against Cuba.
The Korean baseball team, ahead of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12, won a resounding victory in the second warm-up match against the Cuban national team.
The Korean baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, won 13-3 in the second game of the Premier 12 warm-up match (2024 K-Baseball Series with Teabing) against Cuba held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 2nd.
This evaluation match was held to improve the team’s sense of real-life skills ahead of participating in the Premier 12. Korea, which won 2-0 in the first leg of the friendly against Cuba the previous day, also announced victory today and finished the friendly with two wins.
The performance of the batting line, which produced 14 hits, was outstanding. Fifth batter Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte Giants) made a solo arch and was the only national team hitter to hit a home run in an evaluation game, while Joo-hyung Lee (Kiwoom Heroes) went 1 hit in 3 at-bats, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks.
Starting pitcher Choi Seung-yong (Doosan Bears) made a mark by pitching two scoreless innings. Bullpen pitchers So Hyun-jun (KT Wiz), Jeon Sang-hyun, and Jeong Hae-young (KIA Tigers) each pitched one inning and finished pitching without allowing any runs.
Korea took the lead with a home run.
In the top of the second inning when the game was 0-0, leadoff hitter Dong-hee Yoon hit a home run that went over the left field fence.
Korea, who had tied the game in the bottom of the third inning after hitting a solo shot by Cuban Yoelkis Guibert, took the lead again in the top of the fourth.
After leadoff hitter Lee Ju-hyung (Kiwoom) walked, Park Seong-han (SSG Landers) hit a 1-RBI double.
In the ensuing chance to second base with no outs, Hong Chang-ki (LG) hit an RBI single to left, and while left fielder Lazaro Armenteros threw the ball back, Hong Chang-ki ran all the way to third base.
Afterwards, Song Seong-moon (Kiwoom) hit an RBI double and Korea took a 4-1 lead.
Korea contributed an RBI single to big league slugger Yoan Moncada in the bottom of the 5th inning with 2 outs and runners on 2nd base, but in the top of the 7th inning with 1 out and runners on 1st and 3rd base, when Junsu Han (KIA) grounded out to 3rd base, runner Na Seung-yeop (Lotte) hit 3rd base. As we hit home, we widened the gap again.
Korea, which led 5-3 until the 7th inning, put a wedge in the game with a big inning in the top of the 8th inning.
With one out and no runner on base, Song Seong-moon reached base with a triple and then Na Seung-yeop hit a timely hit with an RBI. Then, Bo-Kyung Moon (LG) walked, Dong-Hee Yoon walked on a pitch that hit his body and the bases were loaded, and Jun-Su Han hit a 1-RBI single to left.
Korea, in a state of rising pressure, pushed even harder. Following Lee Joo-hyung’s 2-RBI double and Shin Min-jae’s (LG) 2-RBI single, Choi Won-jun (KIA) hit a 2-RBI double with one out and runners on first and second base to make it 13-3.
Korea, which had secured the victory, brought in Jeon Sang-hyun in the bottom of the 8th inning and Jeong Hae-young in the bottom of the 9th, ending the game with a win.
Korea is in Group B of the Premier 12 qualifiers along with Cuba, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Australia, and the Dominican Republic. The preliminary round will be held in Taipei, Taiwan starting on the 13th.
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Time.news Interview: A Look into Korea’s Baseball Triumph Against Cuba
Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have an exciting guest joining us to discuss the recent victories of the Korean national baseball team in their warm-up matches against Cuba ahead of the WBSC Premier 12. We have baseball analyst and expert, Dr. Min Soo Park, with us. Dr. Park, thank you for being here!
Dr. Min Soo Park (P): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting time for Korean baseball.
E: Let’s dive right in! The Korean team secured a commendable 13-3 victory in their second friendly against Cuba, following a 2-0 win the day before. What can you tell us about the team’s performance?
P: The performances in both matches were impressive, particularly the batting line which produced 14 hits in the second game. It demonstrates a strong offensive strategy and depth in the lineup. Players like Yoon Dong-hee really stood out, especially with his home run which set the tone for the match.
E: Absolutely! Yoon Dong-hee’s solo home run in the second inning was a pivotal moment. How important is it for players to gain that early momentum in a game?
P: Early momentum is crucial in baseball; it can dictate the game’s pace and influence the mindset of both teams. Hitting a home run lifts the entire squad’s spirit and puts pressure on the opposing team. Yoon’s performance is indicative of his current form and readiness for the challenges that lie ahead in the Premier 12.
E: Indeed! Moving on to the pitching front, Choi Seung-yong pitched two scoreless innings. How significant is this for a starter in a warm-up match?
P: Very significant! Pitching two scoreless innings shows that he has command over his pitches and is likely in good physical condition. It builds confidence not just for him but also for the coach and the entire team, knowing they have a reliable starter in their rotation as they enter the competitive phase of the tournament.
E: The bullpen also performed well, not allowing any runs when called upon. How critical is this depth in pitching as they prepare for the Premier 12?
P: Essential! Depth in the bullpen can be a game-changer. As the tournament progresses, managing pitchers’ workloads is crucial, and a strong bullpen can help keep the starters fresh. In high-stakes games, having reliable pitchers in the bullpen is vital to maintain leads and secure wins.
E: The Korean team has now finished their friendlies against Cuba with two solid wins. How do these victories set the stage for the upcoming Premier 12?
P: These wins not only boost the players’ confidence but also give the coaching staff valuable insights into the team’s dynamics and performance under pressure. They can identify strengths and areas to work on before facing tougher opponents. It’s all about building momentum, and these victories are key in that regard.
E: In your opinion, what should be the focus for the Korean team as they transition into the Premier 12?
P: The focus should be on maintaining offensive consistency while ensuring high-level pitching performance. They also need to emphasize teamwork and communication on the field, especially since there can be challenges playing against stronger international teams. Adapting to different game situations will be crucial in achieving success.
E: Thank you, Dr. Park! Your insights into the team’s performance and strategy as they prepare for the Premier 12 have been incredibly enlightening. We look forward to seeing how they perform on the international stage!
P: Thank you! I’m excited to see how the tournament unfolds and will be cheering for the Korean team.
E: And to our readers, stay tuned to Time.news for more updates and expert analysis on the world of sports!