The Korean Lotte Giants learned a thing or two from their exchange match against the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. They gained valuable experience facing both of Chiba Lotte's aces.

Lotte lost to the Chiba Lotte Marines 1-3 in an exchange match held on the 28th at Miyakonojo Baseball Stadium in Miyazaki, Japan.

The Korean Lotte Giants' starting lineup included Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Son Ho-young (third baseman), RAY (right fielder), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Jun-woo (left fielder), Yoo Kang-nam (designated hitter), Park Seung-wook (shortstop), and Jeong Bo-geun (catcher). The starting pitcher was ace Park Se-woong, wearing glasses.

The Chiba Lotte starting lineup consisted of Nishikawa Misho (right fielder), Takabe Akito (center fielder), Yamaguchi Koki (left fielder), Neftali Soto (designated hitter), Ueda Kyuto (first baseman), Nakamura Shogo (second baseman), Yasuda Hisanori (third baseman), Matsukawa Go (catcher), and Tomosugi Atsuki (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Ojima Kazuya, the ace who recorded 12 wins, 10 losses, and an earned run average of 3.58 over 163⅓ innings in 25 games last year.

Lotte's starter Park Se-woong struggled in the first inning. He allowed a lead-off solo home run to Nishikawa, who was a first-round draft pick last year. Park then allowed a single to Takabe. After retiring Yamaguchi with a fly-out to right field, he managed to get Takabe out at first base for the second out. However, after two outs, he issued a walk to Soto and allowed a single to Ueda, putting two runners on base with two outs. Fortunately, he struck out Nakamura to finish the first inning.

From the second inning, Park Se-woong found his rhythm. He retired the side in order in both the second and third innings, completing his outing that day. He pitched 3 innings, throwing 47 pitches, allowing 3 hits (including 1 home run), 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and giving up 1 earned run. He was only let down by the first inning, returning to normal form starting from the second. His fastball peaked at a speed of 148 km/h, mixing 18 sliders, 7 curves, and 5 forkballs.

On the other hand, the batting lineup managed little against Ojima except for Son Ho-young's single to right field after two outs in the first inning. They tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning after Ojima left the game. Leading off in the fifth, Na Seung-yeop hit a solo home run over right field off Chiba Lotte's third pitcher, Ichijo Rikima.

However, after Park Se-woong, Han Gyun-an came in as the third pitcher and immediately gave up a run in the fifth inning. Han allowed a single to Yasuda Hisanori, the lead-off batter, and a double to Matsukawa Go down the right field line, putting runners at second and third with no outs. He induced Tomosugi to hit a ground ball to second base, resulting in an out and a sacrifice run, making the score 1-2. After that, Nishikawa was held scoreless by a great play from shortstop Park Seung-wook, recording an out. The game was closed out as a newly substituted pitcher, Jeong Hyun-soo, retired Takabe with a foul fly-out to third base, preventing additional runs.

However, in the seventh inning, Lotte's Jeong Cheol-won allowed an additional run when Yasuda Hisanori hit a solo home run over right field. The gap widened to 1-3.

After that, Lotte's batting lineup could not mount a comeback. Chiba Lotte's second starter, Daneichi Atsuki, took over from the fifth inning, recording 4 innings with 3 hits allowed, 2 strikeouts, and no earned runs. Daneichi achieved a record of 7 wins, 8 losses, and an earned run average of 3.05 over 147⅓ innings in 23 games last year. Along with Ojima, he was the one-two punch responsible for the Chiba Lotte mound. Lotte's batting lineup gained valuable lessons by facing both of Chiba Lotte's aces in this exchange match.

This is the exchange match between the Korean and Japanese Lotte teams that resumed in 2023. In 2023, it took place on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, in 2024 on Itoman in the main island of Okinawa, and this year in Miyazaki. Before the game, both teams conducted joint training to further emphasize the significance of the exchange.

Before the exchange match, Director General Park Joon-hyuk noted, "With the group's overwhelming support, we will also hold two games with Chiba Lotte's first team this year. I believe that the exchange games can serve as a great motivation for our players,” and added, “We aim to utilize the benefits of being sister clubs to expand our exchange with Chiba Lotte and create a model where both teams can grow together through finishing training and educational leagues.”

Captain Jeon Jun-woo also remarked before the exchange match, "I believe that continuing the exchange match between the Korean and Japanese Lotte teams each year has turned it into a special game rather than merely a practice game," and emphasized, "The mere opportunity to play practice games with NPB players is a unique motivation in itself. We will prepare well so that all the players can compete in good condition."

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