The strongest Monsters experienced the bitter taste of defeat against Gyeonggi Commercial High School, which had awakened to a ‘complete team’, for the first time in the season against a high school team.
In the 109th episode of JTBC’s entertainment program ‘Best Baseball’, which aired at 10:30 pm on the 2nd (Monday), the second game was held between Monsters and Gyeonggi Commercial High School, who were trying to avenge their loss in the first game.
The Monsters left only ‘magic number 4’ until the 2025 season thanks to Pajuk’s 4 consecutive wins. However, their opponent, Gyeonggi Commercial High School, pledged an all-out effort, mobilizing all of the players designated as pros and predicting that even Chu Hyeon, who also doubles as a pitcher, will be on the mound.
‘The Strongest Baseball’ (Photo: JTBC)Gyeonggi Commercial High School promoted Jeong Se-young, who was appointed to the Heroes, as the starting pitcher to face the Monsters’ batting lineup. ‘Gummerak’ Geun-woo Jeong, who dyed his hair jet black, made up for his poor performance in the last game by scoring a hit in his first at-bat. In addition, Im Sang-woo, who has recently been on the rise again, got on base with a walk, and Dae-ho Lee hit a timely hit with two RBI, signaling a good start.
Monsters’ starting pitcher Lee Dae-eun stood up to Gyeonggi Commercial High School’s batting lineup with his expert control even in a surprise crisis. The Monsters continued to play a scoreless game with the infield team working well together despite Gyeonggi Commercial High School’s aggressive strategy baseball, which took advantage of the infield hit created by Chu Hyun Chu’s quick feet. Thanks to Lee Dae-eun’s good pitching, the Monsters’ batting lineup also began to show strength. In the top of the 5th inning, a chance created by hits by Park Jae-wook and Im Sang-woo led to Park Yong-taek’s sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 3:0.
However, Gyeonggi Commercial High School continued its aggressive offensive even as the game approached the halfway point. Woo Ji-won’s single and Song Geon-oh’s tying two-run shot restored the tight balance of 3:3 in the game. In the end, coach Kim Seong-geun made a bold decision to drop Lee Dae-eun and bring in ‘left-handed ace’ Kang Min-gu early.
Afterwards, Kang Min-gu’s strike parade decorated Gocheok Dome. He impressed players on both teams with an appropriate mix of fast balls and breaking balls, and a fast tempo that did not give the opponent time to prepare. Even Lee Taek-geun said, “It’s like a ball throwing machine. “I think he will keep throwing if you give him food,” he said, praising Kang Min-gu’s tenacious pitching.
‘The Strongest Baseball’ (Photo: JTBC)In response to Kang Min-gu’s performance, Gyeonggi Commercial High School also came up with a opponent named Chu Hyun. He was a hitter who showed great hitting ability by playing as third baseman or lead hitter in the first and second games, but at the same time, he was a pitcher who could throw a fastball of 153 km. With the appearance of ‘Gyeonggi Commercial High School Chutani’ Chu Tani, tension increased as he said, “A real ace has arrived.” Afterwards, Kyuhyun Cho showed extraordinary courage by throwing a bold fast ball against Monsters’ fourth hitter Lee Dae-ho, while also appealing to his potential as a pitcher by throwing a highly complete breaking ball against Jeong Seong-hoon.
Additionally, when the team took a 7:5 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning thanks to Kang Min-gu’s walk and Bae Jun-ho’s timely hit from Gyeonggi Commercial High School, Chu Hyun went up to the mound and threw the ball in the top of the 9th inning. In the end, he secured three out counts against Choi Soo-hyun, Im Sang-woo, and Park Yong-taek, protecting Gyeonggi Commercial High School’s victory.
As a result, the Monsters recorded their first loss to a high school team of the season with a final score of 7:5. As we were unable to reduce the magic number, we had to face the next team in a somewhat subdued mood.
The Monsters’ next opponent is their first enemy, Deoksu High School. This is a strong team among strong teams that produced Taehyung Kim, who was drafted 5th overall, and Hyunwoo Jeong, who was drafted 1st overall, and will face off at the most important point heading into next season.
Will the Monsters be able to reduce the magic number against Deoksu High School? The result of this game can be confirmed on the 110th episode of JTBC’s entertainment program ‘Best Baseball’, which will be broadcast at 10:30 pm on the 9th (Monday).
In the 109th episode of JTBC’s entertainment program ‘Best Baseball’, which aired at 10:30 pm on the 2nd (Monday), the second game was held between Monsters and Gyeonggi Commercial High School, who were trying to avenge their loss in the first game. (Photo: JTBC)Reporter Park Ji-hye
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2024-12-02 22:49:00