The Samsung Lions' batting lineup exploded once again.
On the 22nd and 23rd, the Samsung lineup erupted like a volcano in the opening two games against the Kiwoom Heroes and then heavily bombarded the NC Dinos' mound on the 25th, winning 14-5. This marked their third consecutive victory since the season began. Starting pitcher Choi Won-tae reported his first win of the season with 2 runs allowed in 5 innings. Lee Jae-hyun, Gu Ja-wook, Kim Young-woong, and Park Byung-ho hit home runs, easing the burden on Choi Won-tae.
Samsung's starting lineup consisted of center fielder Kim Ji-chan, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, left fielder Gu Ja-wook, catcher Kang Min-ho, first baseman Lewin Diaz, designated hitter Park Byung-ho, third baseman Kim Young-woong, and right fielder Kim Heon-gon, and second baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk. In response, NC's lineup included second baseman Park Min-woo, shortstop Kim Joo-won, designated hitter Son Ah-seop, first baseman Matt Davidson, right fielder Park Gun-woo, left fielder Kwon Hee-dong, catcher Park Se-hyuk, third baseman Kim Hwi-jip, and center fielder Kim Sung-uk. Samsung started Choi Won-tae, while NC had Choi Sung-young as their starting pitcher.
NC succeeded in taking the lead 2-0 in the first inning with a sacrifice fly by Davidson and a timely hit by Park Gun-woo. Then Samsung bounced back in the bottom of the first inning with a sacrifice fly from Gu Ja-wook, scoring 1 run. In the second inning, consecutive hits from Kim Young-woong, Kim Heon-gon, and Ryu Ji-hyuk tied the game at 2-2, and Lee Jae-hyun hit a three-run homer against NC starter Choi Sung-young with 2 outs and runners on first and second, turning the game around to 5-2.
With a 5-2 lead in the fourth inning, Samsung had a chance with 1 out and runners on first and second when Gu Ja-wook hit a three-run homer off opposing starter Choi Sung-young. NC narrowed the gap with a sacrifice fly by Park Gun-woo and a timely hit by Kwon Hee-dong in the fifth inning with 1 out and bases loaded, scoring 2 runs. In response, Samsung created a big inning in the sixth. Leading off, Kim Ji-chan reached first base on a surprise bunt that caught the opposing team off guard. Yang Do-geun's sacrifice bunt moved him to second, and Gu Ja-wook walked on an automatic intentional walk.
Kang Min-ho's ground ball was mishandled by first baseman Matt Davidson, allowing Kim Ji-chan to round third and head home. Lewin Diaz was out on a fly ball to the outfield, but Park Byung-ho drew a walk, loading the bases. Kim Young-woong then delivered a grand slam, sealing the victory.
In the seventh, NC's Han Jae-hwan hit a timely single to the right-center to bring in one more run. In the eighth inning, during the bottom of the inning, Park Byung-ho smashed a solo homer to left field. Samsung's starter Choi Won-tae became the winning pitcher, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts in 5 innings. Subsequently, Lee Jae-hee, Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Ho-sung, and Yuk Seon-yeob each pitched an inning.
Key hitters contributed significantly, including Kim Ji-chan (2 hits in 3 at-bats, 3 runs), Lee Jae-hyun (1 hit in 2 at-bats (1 home run), 3 RBIs, 1 run), Gu Ja-wook (2 hits in 2 at-bats (1 home run), 4 RBIs, 2 runs), Kim Young-woong (3 hits in 4 at-bats (1 home run), 4 RBIs, 2 runs), and Park Byung-ho (1 hit in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 1 RBI, 2 runs).
In contrast, NC's starter Choi Sung-young struggled, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits (1 home run) and 2 walks in 1⅔ innings. The third pitcher, Kim Tae-kyung, also faltered, allowing 8 runs in 2⅔ innings (3 hits (2 home runs), 5 walks, 3 strikeouts).
[OSEN]