"You said it didn't even come out 140km." LG finished instead of Won Tae-in, 1 perfect inning KK! The head coach's intention was right [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yoo Young-chan (29, LG Twins), who was selected as a substitute for the national team, showed a performance to prove why he was selected.

Yoo Young-chan joined the national team on behalf of Won Tae-in (26, Samsung Lions), who was unable to participate due to injury on the 15th.

At the time of selection, some baseball fans expressed doubts about Yoo Young-chan's joining. There was a vague expectation that another starting resource would fill the vacancy of national team ace Won Tae-in.

In addition, there was a controversy among fans because Yoo Young-chan's maximum speed in the spring camp was reported to be only 139 kilometers per hour as of February 3. At the time, LG's first-team pitching coach Kim Kwang-sam said, "Yoo Young-chan is not the type to get his body on track right from the beginning. We are preparing well in time for the scheduled schedule," he said.

As such, the practice game against the Hanwha Eagles on the 21st, which was Yoo Young-chan's first appearance since joining the national team, raised expectations. In conclusion, why did director Ryu Ji-hyun's intention hit the mark properly. On this day, Yoo Young-chan took the mound as the third pitcher in the bottom of the fifth inning when the national team was losing 0-2, and finished one inning with only two strikeouts without a hit and a walk. Cho Byung-hyun, who took the mound afterwards, also led the national team to a 5-2 come-from-behind victory by finishing the game with a perfect inning.

Yoo Young-chan faced Hanwha's lower lineup, which led to Lee Do-yoon, Heo In-seo, and Shim Woo-jun. Leadoff hitter Lee Do-yoon stepped down with a strikeout, not out, turning his bat around Yoo Young-chan's manned hole. Heo In-seo also failed to hit Yoo Young-chan's ball and struck out swinging. Shim Woo-joon succeeded in hitting the ball, but he couldn't stretch further and was out with a fly ball to left field.

After the game, coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "Yoo Young-chan chose to target the right-handed hitters of the opposing team. He expressed satisfaction, saying, "I'm also strong against right-handed hitters today."

Unfortunately, Won Tae-in, who was eliminated from the national team due to an injury, also wants Yoo Young-chan to show the best performance. Won Tae-in, whom I met on the 20th, said, "I think this is the world of professionals. It's natural to take the opportunity if someone gets hurt. I'm very sorry for myself, but I heard that (Yoo) Young-chan really wanted to go," he said with a smile.

He continued, "That's why I really congratulate you. I don't know how much my share will be in the national team, but I hope Young-chan will play better than me in a really important situation and help the Korean national team win."

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*This content was translated by AI.