The Wizards overcame the pain of allowing a tying solo home run in the top of the ninth inning and achieved a valuable first victory after great difficulty.

Professional baseball team KT Wiz recorded a walk-off win of 5-4 after an extra inning battle against the Hanwha Eagles in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League on the 23rd at Suwon KT Wiz Park.

KT avenged its opening game loss the previous day and reported its first victory of the season. Both KT and Hanwha ended the season with 1 win and 1 loss.

KT went back and forth between heaven and hell that day. Leading 4-3 in the top of the ninth, closer Park Young-hyun came in and surrendered a tying solo home run to leadoff batter Noh Si-hwan, opening the door to hell.

KT entered the extra innings after failing to score in the bottom of the ninth. Then, in the dramatic bottom of the 11th, after leadoff batter Jang Seong-woo walked and Cheon Seong-ho was hit by a pitch, an opportunity arose with one out and runners on first and second, leading to a dramatic walk-off two-RBI double by 'Mr. Clutch' Bae Jeong-dae, successfully heading to heaven.

KT's starting pitcher William Cuevas pitched 6⅔ innings, allowing 5 hits (1 home run), 2 walks, and striking out 4 while giving up 3 runs, supporting the team's first victory. Following him were Won Sang-hyeon (⅓ inning, no runs) - Kim Min-soo (1 inning, no runs) - Park Young-hyun (2 innings, 1 run) - Son Dong-hyeon (1 inning, no runs), with Son Dong-hyeon earning the win as a reliever for the season's first victory.

KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said after the game, 'I'm happy to have achieved our first victory of the season in front of a full crowd.' He noted, 'Starting pitcher Cuevas did a great job and fulfilled his role. The bullpen pitchers who followed did not allow a comeback and laid the foundation for victory.'

He also added, 'The batting lineup brought the momentum to the game with consecutive hits and RBIs from the top of the lineup. After allowing the tie, we showed even more focus on both offense and defense, and we were able to win with Bae Jeong-dae’s walk-off hit.'

Manager Lee Kang-cheol concluded by saying, 'All the players went through a lot in the extra innings. I would like to thank the fans for their enthusiastic support during the weekend opening series.'

KT will have a rest day and then face the Doosan Bears at home in a three-game midweek series starting on the 25th.

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