Kia Tigers infielder Yoon Do-hyun (22) had an unforgettable day.

Yoon Do-hyun cried in defense and smiled in batting during the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 26th. He made significant contributions with 4 on-base appearances, including 2 doubles and 3 runs scored. However, he experienced disappointment by giving the momentum to the opponent due to a crucial error in the early stages.

Manager Lee Beom-ho started Yoon Do-hyun as the primary shortstop and the No. 9 batter. He removed starter Park Chan-ho from the roster after he injured his right knee while stealing a base. After receiving a diagnosis that he could not play for about a week, they decided to exclude him altogether. In an urgent situation, if seen nearby, he could have been utilized. Since it is early in the season, the decision was made to avoid overworking him and to look ahead.

They immediately contemplated who the starting shortstop would be. Although Kim Kyu-sung, who entered the game the previous day as a substitute shortstop and performed well with 2 hits, was an option, they chose Yoon Do-hyun. The reason was that they had predetermined Yoon Do-hyun's usage in advance. Since spring camp, Yoon Do-hyun had been designated as the fourth infielder. He announced that he would use Yoon Do-hyun as the starter if any of the second baseman, shortstop, or third baseman were injured.

The intention was to utilize his excellent batting ability. In fact, when third baseman Kim Do-young was unable to play due to a thigh injury, they brought in Yoon Do-hyun. As batting struggles continued, they brought in Wisdom to play third base. This time, with Park Chan-ho also out, Yoon Do-hyun was sent to shortstop. Considering that his main position in high school was shortstop, they made this decision. He had also been called up late last season to play as a shortstop.

Coincidentally, he made an error. With a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning with 2 outs and runners on first and third, Oh Seon-jin's mis-hit ground ball rolled toward Yoon Do-hyun. Although he attempted to make a catch with a dash, it was a bad hop that hit his glove and bounced off. This error led to a run. If he had thought about the slow-footed batter, he could have calmly made the catch at the bounce, but in rushing, he made the error.

Starting with lead-off Puig, the chances continued in the upper lineup. Starter Yoon Young-chul could not stop it. He gave up 3 consecutive hits and allowed 4 runs in a big inning. The KIA lineup tied the game in the bottom of the second with a 2-run hit by Choi Hyung-woo, but Yoon Young-chul shakily gave up another 2 runs, and he was pulled after allowing a bases-loaded situation without any outs in the third inning. Yoon Do-hyun, who could not provide defensive support, could only feel sorry.

In contrast, his batting was different. He retired with a ground ball in his first at-bat, but in the bottom of the third with 2 outs and a runner on first, he hit a double that rolled to the left fence. Then in the following situation with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Patrick Wisdom went down with a swing-and-a-miss strikeout, leaving disappointment in its wake. In the bottom of the fifth with 1 out and a runner on first, he hit another big double that hit the center fence, continuing the opportunity, and scored on a timely hit from Na Sung-bum.

In the seventh and eighth innings, he drew walks and the subsequent hitter's timely hit brought him home. Above all, he burst into consecutive doubles, finding a clue to recover from the batting struggles that had persisted since the spring training. He managed only 2 hits in 14 at-bats during spring training. This slump was due to opposing pitchers focusing solely on throwing breaking balls. With little experience in first-team at-bats, he could hardly avoid difficulties. In the opening doubleheader, he also went hitless in 3 at-bats.

Finally, he broke out with a long hit, creating a stepping stone for a leap. This was the type of batting Manager Lee Beom-ho anticipated. Anyone can make defensive errors as an infielder. It was likely the tension from finally being a starting shortstop. He should repay the favor without being discouraged, like he did in his batting that day. Perhaps the unforgettable error could become the catalyst for a turnaround. Thus, failure is the mother of success.

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