The painful memory of being tripped up by Taiwan in major international competitions almost resurfaced. In the early stages of the game, the Korean batters’ bats rarely connected. However, this time was different. This was because Kwak Bin, Doosan, looking more reliable than ever, was guarding the mound.
The baseball national team defeated ‘tough opponent’ Taiwan 5-0 in their first Group B match of the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games held at Okazaki Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on September 21. Starting pitcher Kwak Bin led the victory with a no-hit pitching performance over six innings, not allowing a single hit. Although he gave up two walks, he recorded 10 strikeouts.
By securing a complete victory over Taiwan in their first game, South Korea took a pleasant first step toward achieving their fifth consecutive Asian Games championship, 連霸. Head coach Ryu Ji-hyun of the national team said, “The first game in a short tournament is always difficult, but we were able to win with good performance after the fifth inning,” and added, “The final is on the last day of the Chuseok holiday, and I will deliver good news.”
This was Kwak Bin’s first appearance in the Asian Games. Although he was selected for the national team during the 2023 Hangzhou Games, he did not take the mound in any game due to poor physical condition. As if trying to shake off the regret from three years ago, he subdued the Taiwanese batters from the first inning with fastballs reaching up to 156 km/h. The Taiwanese batters, who were prepared for his fastballs, helplessly swung at the air against his occasional 139 km/h curveballs. After the game, Kwak Bin said, “I focused more on control than speed,” and added, “However, I was disappointed to have given up two unnecessary walks.” He continued, “I am absolutely not satisfied with just one game today, and I will have no regrets only if I pitch in the final and win the championship.”
Following Kwak Bin, Jo Byeong-hyeon, SSG, also retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings. South Korea, who had maintained a ‘team no-hit game’ until the eighth inning, finished the game without allowing any runs despite closer Park Young-hyun, KT, giving up two hits in the top of the ninth.
The Korean batters struggled in the early stages. Taiwan’s starting pitcher Lin Yi-wei, Hapjak Geumgo, was this year 20 years old, with a small build of 176 cm and 63 kg. However, with smart pitching that stole the batters’ timing, he held the Korean lineup to one hit and one walk until the fifth inning. South Korea managed to score the first run with difficulty in the bottom of the second inning, taking advantage of the opponent’s error to load the bases with one out, and Park Jae-hyun, KIA, hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
After Lin Yi-wei was replaced, the long-awaited offensive breakthrough came in the seventh inning. In the seventh, Moon Bo-gyeong, LG, walked and then Kim Joo-won, NC, hit an RBI single to right field, loading the bases with no outs. Park Jun-sun, Doosan, added a run with a big two-base hit to right field, and Cho Hyeong-woo, SSG, followed with a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 3-0. Cheers erupted from the South Korean supporters in the third base side. In the eighth, leadoff batter Kim Do-yeong, KIA, hit a two-base hit down the right-center field gap, followed by Roh Si-hwan, Hanwha’s sacrifice fly for an additional run. A pinch-hitter Yoon Dong-hee, Lotte, then drove in another run with a big solo home run to left field, driving the final nail into the coffin.
On this day, the Korean batters performed a celebratory pose every time they got a hit or on-base, raising both hands over their heads to form a triangle shape. This pose, symbolizing the Chinese character for gold (金), was reportedly suggested by captain Roh Si-hwan. Kim Joo-won, who led the offense with three hits in four at-bats as the fifth batter, said, “It was effective to stay calm and not get caught up in the opponent pitcher’s timing.” South Korea will face Hong Kong in their second game starting at 6:30 p.m. on September 22.
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