“Professionals must overcome any situation.”

The Doosan Bears are preparing for the second game of the season against KT Wiz in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League, which will take place at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 26th.

The previous day's first matchup against KT resulted in a 3-8 defeat. Just before the opening, Kwak Bin, who was sidelined with an injury to his internal oblique muscle, was replaced by Choi Won-jun, the ‘original native ace,’ who started but struggled, allowing 6 hits (1 home run), 2 walks, and 3 runs over 4 innings, throwing 84 pitches while allowing the lead-off batter to reach base in every inning except for the 3rd inning, in which he retired the side in order.

The 5th inning was truly a nightmare after Choi Won-jun left the game. With the score tied at 3-3, left-hander Kim Ho-jun, who had realized his dream of making the opening roster, struck out Kang Baek-ho and got Mel Rojas Jr. to ground out to first. However, after giving up a decisive solo home run to Heo Kyung-min and allowing a hit to Kim Min-hyeok, he was replaced by Choi Jun-ho.

Choi Jun-ho was also shaky. After walking Jang Seung-woo on four straight pitches and hitting Cheon Seong-ho with a pitch, he created a bases-loaded crisis and then allowed a three-run double to Hwang Jae-kyun and a one-run single to Bae Jeong-dae, lowering his head in disappointment.

Doosan lost key pitcher Hong Geon-hee to a damaged elbow ligament just before the opening along with Kwak Bin. To make matters worse, Lee Byeong-hun, who accomplished the youngest 20 holds among left-handers in the league last year, was also removed from the first team due to symptoms of gastroenteritis before the game on the 25th. Manager Lee Seung-yup attempted to stop KT's lineup with Kim Ho-jun and Choi Jun-ho after Choi Won-jun left, but the two players allowed 5 runs, which led to a lost opportunity for victory.

On the 26th, in Suwon, manager Lee Seung-yup said, “We might have a 5-game losing streak or even a 6-game losing streak, but we cannot let the mood drop just because we lost three games at the start of the season.” He added, “As professionals, we need to have resources to fill in when starters are absent. Although it is difficult with many players suddenly out, the reality is that baseball is about momentum and atmosphere. The flow has been a bit sluggish since before the opening, but if we can get one win and then another, it will lead to a good atmosphere. We need to quickly secure our first victory to change the mood.”

Lee Seung-yup shook his head at the assessment that they lost three games due to injuries. He noted, “Of course, these are unexpected absences, and losing players before the opening is damaging,” but added, “However, it’s all just an excuse. As professionals, we must overcome any situation. When injuries occur and we lose momentum, we lack the power to catch up, but if we can find our rhythm once, our atmosphere will rise while the opponent's mood falls.”

He remarked, “The will to win is very strong among the captain Yang Eui-ji and young players. Of course, just having the will won’t guarantee our first victory, but I think if we don’t entertain the thought of losing and stay focused, good things will happen.”

Doosan set its starting lineup against KT's starting pitcher So Hyeong-jun, including Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Kang Seung-ho (third baseman), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (first baseman), Park Joon-young (shortstop), Oh Myung-jin (second baseman), and Jung Soo-bin (center fielder). The starting pitcher is left-handed rookie Choi Seung-yong.

Manager Lee Seung-yup urged Oh Myung-jin, who went 0 for 8 in two games, saying, “Even though he is the second baseman on opening day, we cannot take him out just because he had one or two bad games. I want to instill confidence in the player, and I hope he feels this. Instead of thinking, ‘I’ll probably be out tomorrow’ or ‘I might go to the second team’ after one bad day, I want him to think he is the owner of the second base position and approach the game with confidence. Oh Myung-jin will not be going to the second team anytime soon.”

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