"This will greatly aid in season operations."
Kia Tigers won again. In a 2025 exhibition game against the Samsung Lions held on the 16th at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, they amassed 19 hits and secured a 11-5 victory. With four consecutive exhibition wins (including one tie), they recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, and 2 ties.
Kia filled its entire starting lineup with backup players that day. 18-year-old rookie Park Jae-hyun (center fielder) was the leadoff hitter, supported by Park Jung-woo (left fielder), Han Jun-soo (designated hitter), Byeon Woo-hyuk (third baseman), Jeong Hae-won (right fielder), Seo Geon-chang (first baseman), Hong Jong-pyo (second baseman), and Kim Kyu-sung (shortstop).
They clobbered ace Ariel Jurado, who was confirmed as the starting pitcher for Samsung's opening game, with 10 hits and 6 runs.
Park Jae-hyun, who was selected as the leadoff for the first time in the exhibition, showcased his skills with 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run. Hong Jong-pyo added 3 hits, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs, while Kim Kyu-sung led the offense with 4 hits. Park Jung-woo, Han Seung-taek, and Seo Geon-chang also contributed with 2 hits each.
Hwang Dong-ha pitched 4 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned run), while Lim Ki-young and Yoo Seung-chul each pitched 2 innings and allowed 1 run. The final pitcher, Kim Min-joo, performed excellently in the 9th inning with 4 strikeouts and no earned runs, despite a strikeout-not-out error by the catcher.
After the game, manager Lee Beom-ho praised, "Despite the cold weather, all players who participated actively contributed to the victory."
He continued, "If backup players can show this level of performance in a game like this, it will greatly assist me as a manager in operating the season. In exhibition games, the content is more important than the results, and today was satisfying for everyone."
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