'First since Yoon Young-cheol and Kim Dong-heon' Chungam High School, National Championship Victory After 5 Years! Daejeon High School Defeated 10-4, Golden Saja Cup Champions [Mokdong On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Chungam High School, showcasing stable performance in both pitching and batting, defeated Daejeon High School and maintained its undefeated record in the Golden Saja Cup final.

Chungam High School decisively defeated Daejeon High School 10-4 in the final of the 80th Golden Saja Cup National High School Baseball Tournament held at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium on the 16th.

With this victory, Chungam High School won the national tournament final for the first time in five years since winning the Cheongryonggi and Presidential Cup titles during the era of Yoon Young-cheol (22, KIA Tigers) and Kim Dong-heon (22, Kiwoom Heroes) in 2021. Additionally, its undefeated record in the Golden Saja Cup final was preserved. This marks their first final victory in 15 years, having previously won the tournament three times in 1990, 2009, and 2011, continuing their dominance in the Golden Saja Cup.

Despite numerous injuries, including ace second-year student Song Seong-jun (17) and third-year shortstop Sung Se-ram (18), the team demonstrated a solid lineup. Center fielder Jang Min-je (18) led the batting order as the leadoff hitter, recording 3 hits in 5 at-bats with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. The middle-order batters also shone brightly. Third baseman Bae Jeong-ho went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 1 stolen base; right fielder Shin Ji-ho went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored; and first baseman Jang Geun-woo went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored.

On the mound, Seo Won-jun, who entered as the second pitcher, earned the win with 7 2/3 innings pitched, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, and 3 earned runs. Coach Lee Young-bok led Chungam High School to its sixth national championship title since taking over in 2004. Seo Won-jun of Chungam High School was named the Most Valuable Player, Kim Ji-yoon of Chungam High School received the Outstanding Pitcher award, and third baseman Bae Jeong-ho of Chungam High School was honored with the Meritorious Service Award. Center fielder Jang Min-je of Chungam High School was recognized for his skills as a leadoff hitter, leading all players with 8 runs scored.

In contrast, Daejeon High School fell short in the Golden Saja Cup final, their first appearance in 64 years since the team's founding. It was particularly painful that Han Gyu-min (17), who had led them to the final, could not participate due to pitch count restrictions. Their trusted pitchers Yoon Sang-hyun and An Tae-geon also faltered, allowing 2 earned runs in 1 inning and 5 earned runs (3 self-charged) in 2 2/3 innings, respectively. Daejeon High School's powerful batting lineup also struggled against Chungam High School's solid defense, managing only 7 hits.

Had Daejeon High School won the championship, they would have become the 15th team to win all four major tournaments (Golden Saja Cup, Cheongryonggi, Presidential Cup, and Bonghwangdaegi). Before Daejeon High School, only 14 teams had achieved a national tournament Grand Slam: Gyeongbuk High School (1971: Golden Saja Cup, Cheongryonggi, Presidential Cup, Bonghwangdaegi), Daegu Sangwon High School (1973: Golden Saja Cup, Presidential Cup, Bonghwangdaegi), Gunsan Sangil High School (1982: Cheongryonggi, Bonghwangdaegi), Gwangju Il High School (1983: Golden Saja Cup, Presidential Cup, Bonghwangdaegi), Bukil High School (2002: Golden Saja Cup, Bonghwangdaegi), Gwangju Dongseong High School (2003: Cheongryonggi), Deoksu High School (2008: Presidential Cup), Seoul High School (2014: Golden Saja Cup), Hwimun High School (2014: Bonghwangdaegi), Dongsan High School (2016: Presidential Cup), Incheon High School (2020: Bonghwangdaegi), Chungam High School (2021: Cheongryonggi, Presidential Cup), Busan High School (2023: Golden Saja Cup), and Gyeongnam High School (2025: Presidential Cup).

On this day, Daejeon High School lined up with Woo Ju-ro (shortstop), Park Jun-seo (second baseman), Oh Ra-on (third baseman), Lee Kang-seok (left fielder), Kim Yong-wook (center fielder), Lee In-hyeok (right fielder), Park Sang-min (designated hitter), Im Han-gyeol (first baseman), and Park Sung-jin (catcher). The starting pitcher was Hwang Ji-hyeong.

In response, Chungam High School lined up with Jang Min-je (center fielder), An Geon-woo (left fielder), Bae Jeong-ho (third baseman), Shin Ji-ho (right fielder), Oh Yu-chan (shortstop), Jang Geun-woo (first baseman), Kim Hyun-woo (catcher), Bae Yun-ho (designated hitter), and Kim Seung-ha (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Jeon Gang-yoon.

Daejeon High School took the lead. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Woo Ju-ro reached base with a ground ball to center field. Woo Ju-ro advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored when Oh Ra-on hit a ground ball to the shortstop. Chungam High School quickly turned the game around. In the bottom of the first inning with two outs, Bae Jeong-ho hit a double to left-center field, and Shin Ji-ho hit a single to right field, tying the game 1-1. Oh Yu-chan reached base on a walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Jang Geun-woo hit a two-run single to right field, giving Chungam High School a 3-1 lead.

The batting lineup continued to score. In the bottom of the second inning, Bae Yun-ho reached base on a walk, and Kim Seung-ha bunted him to second base. Jang Min-je hit a ball into the gap between the second baseman and right fielder, creating scoring opportunities with runners on first and third. Later, during Bae Jeong-ho's at-bat, a balk was called, allowing Chungam High School to extend their lead by one run. Shin Ji-ho then hit a one-run single to left-center field off a hit-by-pitch, widening the score to 5-1.

In contrast, Daejeon High School showed some shortcomings in the detailed flow of the game. In the top of the fourth inning with one out, Oh Ra-on hit a single to left field, and Lee Kang-seok reached base on a fielding error by the first baseman, creating a scoring opportunity with runners on second and third. However, when Kim Yong-wook hit a fly ball to center field, the runner on second, Lee Kang-seok, failed to return to the base in time, resulting in a double play and ending the inning.

Chungam High School continued to control the game. In the top of the fifth inning, leadoff hitter Jang Geun-woo reached base with a ground ball to center field. Kim Hyun-woo attempted a bunt, but An Tae-geon made a throwing error, allowing all runners to advance. Bae Yun-ho then hit a one-run single, and Jang Min-je followed with a two-run single to center field, extending Chungam High School's lead to 10-1.

In the top of the ninth inning, Daejeon High School's final offensive opportunity, they managed to score three runs with consecutive hits from Park Jun-seo and Oh Ra-on, followed by a two-run double to right field by Lee Kang-seok, achieving a respectable finish.

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*This content was translated by AI.