Kodi Ponce (31), who started as the pitcher for the historic opening game of the new home stadium of the Hanwha Eagles, Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, proved his qualifications. He delivered an impressive performance with 7 innings and 105 pitches, allowing 2 earned runs, and left a strong impression on the home fans.

Ponce started as the pitcher for the home opener against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark on the 28th, throwing 7 innings with 7 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, 8 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs for a quality start. He showcased his strength with a powerful fastball in the 150 km/h range and a waterfall-like forkball and curve with stable control, paving the way for victory as the Hanwha lineup exploded with 5 runs in the 7th inning.

In the season opener on the 22nd against Suwon KT, Ponce pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 1 walk, and 2 earned runs, registering 4 strikeouts. However, due to the lineup only scoring 1 run by the 6th inning, he left the game with a loss. He aimed for his first win as the starting pitcher for the historic opening game in Daejeon, but the game unfolded similarly to the opener.

Ponce started by allowing the first hit of the new stadium to KIA’s first batter, Kim Sun-bin, and after inducing a ground ball from Hong Jong-pyo to third base, he led Na Sung-bum into a double play at second base, finishing the first inning with just 10 pitches.

In the second inning, he raised his momentum by striking out Choi Hyung-woo with a pop-up to the shortstop and Patrick Wisdom with a high fastball swinging strikeout. He allowed back-to-back hits to Lee Woo-sung and Choi Won-jun, but center fielder Estevan Florial accurately caught Lee Woo-sung trying to reach third base with a perfect throw, ending the inning.

The third inning began with a defensive error. Noh Si-hwan made an error on his throw to first base after fielding a ground ball from Kim Tae-kyun. However, Ponce struck out all three of the next batters. Kim Gyu-seong swung and missed on Ponce’s changeup, while Kim Sun-bin and Hong Jong-pyo were struck out swinging and looking on big breaking curves, respectively.

In the fourth inning, he allowed his first earned run. After handling Na Sung-bum with a ground ball to second, he gave up a double to Choi Hyung-woo in right-center. Then, on the fifth pitch to Wisdom, a fastball outside led to a wild pitch, resulting in 1 out and a runner on third base. Wisdom hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Choi Hyung-woo home. Although he gave up the first run, Ponce remained composed. He struck out the next batter, Lee Woo-sung, with a curve, displaying a relaxed smile as he left the mound.

He also began the fifth inning by striking out the leadoff batter, Choi Won-jun, with a changeup that had a significant drop like a forkball. He then handled Kim Tae-kyun with a ground ball to third and struck out Kim Gyu-seong on 3 pitches with a changeup, closing the inning without any runners. After the inning, Ponce cheered with applause and gathered his teammates in front of the dugout to boost their morale, igniting excitement among the home fans.

Ponce maintained his momentum into the sixth inning. He recorded two outs after handling Kim Sun-bin and Hong Jong-pyo with ground balls to shortstop on 5 pitches. After allowing Na Sung-bum to walk after a full count, he caught Choi Hyung-woo’s line drive with a diving catch. When he stepped on first base to end the inning, Ponce patted Kim Tae-yeon's shoulder in gratitude.

However, despite Ponce’s fighting spirit, the Hanwha lineup remained silent until the fifth inning. They were tightly held to just 3 hits by KIA's starter, James Naile, and did not receive any run support through the sixth inning. There were a few opportunities. With 2 outs and a runner on second in the third inning, Choi In-ho grounded out to the pitcher. In the fourth inning, with 1 out and runners on first and second, Kim Tae-yeon's well-hit ball was caught by Kim Sun-bin, positioned near second base, resulting in a 4-6-3 double play, leading to disappointment. In the fifth inning, with 1 out and a runner on first, a sign miscommunication seemed to occur as Shim Woo-jun got thrown out attempting to steal second on the first pitch.

Ultimately, Ponce gave up an additional earned run in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Wisdom, his first pitch fastball clocked at 153 km/h came in well, but was hit hard by Wisdom. The ball traveled 110 meters over the left field fence for a solo home run. It was Wisdom's second home run of the season and marked the moment he became the first home run hitter at the new Daejeon stadium.

Afterward, he allowed Choi Won-jun a ground ball single to second and Kim Gyu-seong a single up the middle, creating a 2 outs and runners on first and second threat. Despite reaching the pitch count of 101, the pitching coach Yang Sang-mun came to the mound but went back after confirming Ponce's willingness to continue. Ponce struck out Byeon Woo-hyuk with a high fastball, escaping the threat and ending his outing with a total of 105 pitches.

Perhaps buoyed by Ponce's stellar pitching, the Hanwha lineup finally broke their silence in the seventh inning. They faced KIA's reliable reliever Jeon Sang-hyun after the starter Naile, and after 2 outs, began their counterattack. Kim Tae-yeon pulled a slider that was 135 km/h, close to the body, for a solo home run down the left field line, traveling 115 meters for his first home run of the season. This also marked the first home run in the new stadium for Hanwha.

Following this, Lim Jong-chan walked, and pinch-hitter Lee Jin-young also drew a walk, forcing Jeon Sang-hyun out of the game. With 2 outs and runners on first and second, KIA sent in left-hander Kwak Do-gyu, but Moon Hyun-bin also drew a walk, loading the bases. Here, Hwang Young-mook worked a bases-loaded walk, tying the score at 2-2, resulting in Naile losing his win eligibility. Not stopping there, Choi In-ho was hit by Kwak Do-gyu's sixth pitch on his left elbow guard, giving Hanwha a 3-2 lead. They continued the momentum, and Estevan Florial’s poorly-hit ball dropped in front of the left fielder for a 2-RBI clutch single, extending Hanwha's lead to 5-2 with a big inning of 5 runs in the seventh.

As the eighth inning began, Ponce handed the mound over to Park Sang-won, fulfilling the winning pitcher requirements. His stellar performance commemorating the opening of the new Daejeon stadium brought him close to his first win.

[OSEN]