Seo Geon-chang’s current biggest wish, who led the KIA Tigers to victory by showing his clutch ability at a critical moment, was not to have any breakouts due to injuries.
KIA, led by head coach Lee Bum-ho, beat manager Kim Kyung-moon’s Hanwha Eagles 4-3 after overtime at the home game of the 2024 professional baseball KBO League at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 5th.먹튀검증
Seo Kun-chang, who started as the seventh batter and second baseman, showed stellar performance. He led Kia’s offense by posting two hits and two RBIs in four times at bat, including a walk-off hit.
Seo, who grounded out to the first base in the bottom of the second inning, turned the bat fiercely in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs and a runner on the second base when the two teams were tying 1-1. He hit opposing starter Jaime Barria’s fastball of 149 kilometers on two pitches, leading to an RBI timely hit to the right.
Seo Geon-chang, who had a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning and a grounder to the first base in the bottom of the eighth inning, shone the most at the bottom of the 10th inning when both teams were facing 3-3. With one out and second base, he hit a four-pitch 120-kilometer curve of the opponent’s right-handed bullpen pitcher Han Seung-joo to create a thrilling walk-off hit. This is the second walk-off hit by Seo Geon-chang this year since the match against the Gwangju Samsung Lions on August 9.
After the game, head coach Lee Bum-ho said, “It was Seo Geon-chang’s first start game since returning to the first team, and he played well in the ball and in the numbers. He led the team to victory with a timely come-from-behind hit in the bottom of the fourth inning and a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th inning,” adding, “He once again showed the value of an experienced player.”
Seo Geon-chang said with a bright smile, “Unfortunately, the batters in front of me are good at laying out the opportunity. I should be lucky to have a chance to finish, but I’m grateful that such an opportunity comes often. I’m taking the batter’s box with a responsibility to make use of it whenever the opportunity comes.”
He added, “I thought I should not miss the ball that comes to the zone and hit it aggressively. I tried to keep my zone without following anything, but I think I did it as I thought. That’s why I got a good result.”
A timely hit in the bottom of the fourth inning was largely attributable to the coaching staff and analysis team. “There is a high possibility that I will come closer to (my body) in the analysis part with the hitting coach, so I asked him to prepare the ball,” Seo said. “I received help from the data. I think I was able to keep my path after hearing that. I think I came up with a good result after thinking about it to a certain extent.”
Seo Kun-chang, who started his professional career by joining the LG Twins as a new player in 2008, is a right-handed, left-handed infield resource with a dramatic story. After moving to the Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom) in 2012, he took over as the main second baseman, and in the 2014 season, he became the first KBO league player to surpass 200 hits, hitting 0.370 7 home runs, 67 RBIs and 135 points in 128 games. In particular, it was a more valuable achievement because it was achieved under the 128-game system.
Seo Geon-chang, who continued his career by utilizing his strengths. However, he has not been good lately. He returned to LG in 2022, but played in 77 games that year with a batting average of 0.224, two homers and 18 RBIs. He also appeared in only 44 games last year, and had to be satisfied with his batting average of 0.200 and 12 RBIs, and was able to avoid the violent wind of his release after the season.
Fortunately, KIA reached out to Seo Geon-chang ahead of this season, and he is proving that the choice was not wrong. He has played his own role, adding to KIA’s leading Mercury.
Seo said with a smile, “I haven’t decided yet, but my team is still at the top of the list. Coming to Kia, I am really happy playing baseball. Once again, I think I am lucky. It is not very helpful, but I am doing my best to be of help even small things.”
He is also trying to create a team atmosphere because he is a veteran who has experienced all kinds of battles. “Even if I don’t do it, I have a captain, and the guys above me are creating the atmosphere well,” he said. “I am saying a lot of positive things to my juniors. Rather than team performance, it plays a role of listening to each individual’s story when they are struggling. I think I just have to not miss the tension. I think the number one thing is to overcome the must-win game together and not miss a losing streak. I feel very happy because today’s game also has that meaning. I think I will be able to go to a good atmosphere for the rest of this week because I haven’t lost consecutive games.”
Kia, which currently has 77 wins, two draws and 50 losses, has set its magic number of winning the regular season league to 10, is aiming to become the champion this year. However, Seo was wary of being negligent.
“I don’t think the players are conscious yet or almost there. Personally, I really think we have to go until the end,” he said. “I don’t know what will happen if we win consecutive games and lose consecutive games. I am still nervous every game. So far, I think the mood is going well. I think we will have good performance.”
Finally, Seo Geon-chang said, “I think there’s really not much time left. I have to go do what I want with a really good atmosphere to come this far,” adding, “I hope the players don’t get hurt for the rest of the year.” No players should be injured so that the coach’s head doesn’t hurt. (Kim) Do-young (who collided with Jonathan Ferraza who was running base with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the eighth inning) was in danger again today, and I hope that doesn’t happen.”