Because Austin Dean (LG Twins) is having a really good season…”
NC Dinos infielder Matt Davidson started as the third batter and first baseman in the first of three consecutive games during the week against the Kiwoom Heroes in the “2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League” held at NC Park in Changwon on the 3rd. He played three hits (one homer) in five at-bats, two RBIs and three runs scored, helping his team win 11-5.안전놀이터
Davison got on base due to a fielder’s error at his first batter’s box. He hit a cool homerun at his second batter’s box. With NC leading 4-0, it hit a curveball by Kiwoom starter Ariel Furado at the bottom of the second inning, hitting a two-run homerun measuring 135 meters (season 40th) that flew over the left fence. With the homer, the team ran away 6-0.
Davidson had 40 home runs and 102 RBIs for this season. There were 11 foreign hitters in the KBO league that set 40 home runs in a season. Davidson became the 12th player on the list with the homer. At the same time, he made 40 home runs in a season and 40 home runs-100 RBIs in a season for the third time in NC history after Eric Thames.
Davidson, who continued to display strong batting performance, hit a double with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning and a heavy hit with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to open the scoring for additional runs.
NC manager Kang In-kwon gave a thumbs-up after the game, saying, “Davidson’s three hits, including a home run, became the basis for the team’s victory.”
Davison, who was selected as a trainee player, said after the game, “I was conscious as I approached 40 home runs. I’ve come this far because I’ve done my best in the preparation process that I can do after playing a long season,” adding, “I used to achieve 30 home runs, but I played a small number of games and I played a small number of business trips. It’s a memorable baseball season in the KBO league as I can play full-time, play my role, and achieve 40 home runs.”
This year, Davidson has displayed outstanding performances, energizing the NC Dinos’ batting average. He has a batting average of 0.294 (127 hits in 432 times at bat) with 40 homers and 102 RBIs in 112 games (On-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.977. Currently, he ranks first in homers in the league, third in RBIs and fifth in OPS, making his name on top of various attack indicators. If his current performance continues, he can also seek the Golden Glove for first baseman in the KBO League.
However, he has a strong competitor. Austin, the core of LG’s batting lineup, is also formidable. He has a batting average of 0.319 (148 hits in 464 at-bats), 31 homers, 118 RBIs, and 12 steals in 122 games this year, with an OPS of 0.979.
When asked about the competition between Austin and the Golden Glove, Davidson said, “Austin is having a really good season, so I think he will take the Golden Glove as a first baseman. When I set motivation or goals, I try to find them internally rather than externally competitive factors. I focus on the process that will make tomorrow better than yesterday. When you are conscious of the outside world, you can get mentally shaken. I push those obstacles and prepare internally.”
As strong as Thames, who is called the best foreign hitter in the NC Dinosaurs’ history, Davidson has displayed strong performance. In addition to his 40th homer, he recently posted 22 consecutive hits in consecutive games, setting a new record for the most consecutive hits by a foreign hitter in the KBO League history.
“Good things and bad things happen throughout the season,” Davidson said of making several records. “More than ups and downs, I always prepare what I prepare on the field every day. I think the results have been followed because I did my best to produce results.”
Finally, Davidson said, “There was a crisis in August (11 consecutive losses), and the team’s performance was down, but the atmosphere in the locker room was maintained without any ups and downs. Good and bad days are repeated throughout the season, and I think young players in the team have learned how to make it through. I hope the current upward trend continues well.”