Daejeon: The Hanwha Eagles are set to soar into the Korean Series for the first time in nearly two decades. The Eagles secured their spot in the championship by decisively defeating the Samsung Lions 11-2 at the Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark. This victory concluded the best-of-five Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series, sending a wave of excitement through the sellout crowd of 16,750.
According to Yonhap News Agency, starter Cody Ponce delivered an impressive performance by striking out nine batters over five innings, while the Eagles' lineup exploded with 13 hits. Cleanup batter Roh Si-hwan shone with four hits, and team captain Chae Eun-seong drove in five runs, sealing the Eagles' triumph. The Eagles are now set to face the LG Twins, who earned a bye to the Korean Series by posting the best regular season record. The championship series will commence at 2 p.m. Sunday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
The Eagles have not played in the Korean Series since 2006, with their sole title win dating back to 1999. Meanwhile, the LG Twins aim to secure their second title in three seasons. Despite not pitching in the final game, Eagles pitcher Moon Dong-ju was named the series MVP. Moon, a starting pitcher during the regular season, made a significant impact in relief, holding the Lions scoreless over six innings and striking out 10 batters.
During Game 1, Moon contributed two shutout innings and struck out four to secure a hold in a narrow 9-8 victory. His performance included a fastball clocked at 161.6 kilometers per hour, the fastest pitch recorded this year. In Game 2, Moon pitched the final four innings of a 5-4 win, allowing only two hits and striking out six more batters. Moon received 61 out of 87 votes from media members for the MVP award, outpacing runner-up Moon Hyun-bin, who received 13 votes.
In Friday's matchup, Ponce navigated through a challenging first inning, escaping a bases-loaded situation by striking out Kim Tae-hoon with three consecutive changeups. The Eagles capitalized on opportunities, with Roh Si-hwan and Chae Eun-seong driving in early runs to establish a 2-0 lead. Although the Lions managed to score in the second inning, Ponce maintained control, strategically walking Kim Young-woong before retiring the subsequent batter.
The Eagles expanded their lead in the third inning, aided by key hits and defensive errors by the Lions. Moon Hyun-bin's double, Roh's single, and Chae's double contributed to a 5-1 advantage. Additional runs in the fifth and sixth innings further solidified their dominance. Moon Hyun-bin's bases-loaded walk and a two-run homer in the eighth sealed the Eagles' commanding 10-2 lead, with Chae adding another RBI to his tally.
Relief pitcher Ryan Weiss took over from Ponce in the sixth inning, efficiently securing the final outs and striking out four. The Lions' defense faltered with three errors, while the Eagles' middle order, led by Moon Hyun-bin, Roh, and Chae, delivered a formidable performance, combining for 10 hits, seven runs, and nine RBIs.