A KS legend, fully satisfied with a perfect seven-inning performance, says: "This season's best pitching → A pitcher I can now trust to some extent is So Hyoung-jun"

*This content was translated by AI.

"Even if told not to, he is a player who will work hard and stay focused."

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol sent the highest praise and absolute trust to So Hyoung-jun (25), who delivered an outstanding performance in the previous day's (the 7th) game against Kiwoom Heroes.

So Hyoung-jun started in the home game against Kiwoom Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz on the 7th as part of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League', pitching seven innings with seven hits allowed, one walk, and no runs scored, securing his fourth win of the season. So Hyoung-jun, who held the mound firmly without allowing a single run, proved in every way who the team's true ace is. Including the the 7th game result, he finished the first half with a solid record of four wins and no losses in 11 games, with an ERA of 3.25.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who led KT to a unified championship in the 2021 Korean Series (KS), could not stop praising So Hyoung-jun. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Kiwoom game on the 8th, when asked about the performance, he gave a thumbs-up and said, "This was the best pitching of this season," highly commending So Hyoung-jun's flawless outing.

In particular, manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed strong confidence in how the mound will be managed in the second half, emphasizing, "Now that we have found an answer to some extent, the pitcher I truly trust is So Hyoung-jun." As a clear plan has been established by the end of the first half, he also highlighted that the manager's trust in So Hyoung-jun has become the most reliable 'winning card' on the mound.

Amidst the top-tier praise from the manager, fans' expectations are at their peak as to whether So Hyoung-jun, who delivered the best performance of his life this season, can lead KT's unstoppable run in the second half.

Meanwhile, having secured a two-game winning streak, KT set its starting lineup against Kiwoom starter Bae Dong-hyun with Choi Won-joon (designated hitter), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Ahn Hyeon-min (right fielder), Hilliard (left fielder), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Bae Jung-dae (center fielder), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop). The starting pitcher was left-handed Logan.

Regarding Choi Won-joon's defensive position, manager Lee Kang-cheol suggested the possibility of using him as a designated hitter, saying, "It probably won't be easy for him to play defense until the last game of the first half on the 9th."

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*This content was translated by AI.