*This content was translated by AI.
"The seniors' support gave me confidence."
It took exactly two years. Kim Yoon-ha (21), a pitcher for Kiwoom Heroes who finally escaped the long tunnel of an 18-game losing streak, expressed gratitude to his teammates and seniors.
On the 26th, Kim Yoon-ha started against KIA Tigers at GwangjuKIA Champions Field, pitching five innings while allowing seven hits and three earned runs. He left the mound with the team leading 7-3, and when the team ultimately won 8-3, he was credited with the victory.
This was more than just a single win. It marked his second career victory after 731 days since his first win on July 25, 2024, against Doosan in his debut season. In between, he endured five consecutive losses starting from the August 7, 2024 game against SSG at Gocheok Sky Dome, suffered 12 defeats in 19 games last year, and faced an 18-game losing streak culminating in a loss to Doosan on July 5 of this season. Had he lost one more game, he would have tied the KBO record for most consecutive losses—19—set by Jang Si-hwan (then with Hanwha Eagles) from September 27, 2020 to April 1, 2023.
There were moments of crisis as well. With Kiwoom leading 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Kim Yoon-ha allowed consecutive home runs to leadoff batters Kim Do-young and Na Sung-beom. Shortly after, he gave up a hit to Kim Seon-bin and a walk to Park Sang-jun, loading the bases with no outs. However, he escaped further damage by inducing a groundout from Ju Seok at first base and recording a double play on pinch-hitter Han Jun-su to prevent additional runs.
In a post-game interview with a broadcaster, Kim Yoon-ha recalled: "After giving up home runs and letting runners advance, senior Seo Geon-chang (37) told me, 'Get your head straight right now.' That snapped me back into focus and gave me the strength to keep going."
The team's encouragement played a major role in breaking the losing streak. Through Kiwoom Heroes' official YouTube channel, Kim Yoon-ha said: "Even when the position players and friends went out for breakfast in the morning, they told me, 'Yoon-ha, let's go today. Let's do it with confidence. We'll help you.' That gave me confidence even before the game started." He added: "(After the victory) Senior Ha Young-min (31) was the first to hug me, and (Ahn) Woo-jin (27) has been saying since yesterday, 'Let's go tomorrow,' even urging the seniors to 'help Yoon-ha once tomorrow.' I'm so grateful for their immense support."
Now, it's time to start anew. Kim Yoon-ha, who attended Jangchung High School and was selected in the first round, ninth overall pick of the 2024 Rookie Draft, stated: "After being drafted, I said I would become a representative pitcher for Kiwoom Heroes, and that dream remains unchanged." He continued: "I think it would have been very difficult to endure alone without fans. Even when I didn't meet expectations, they believed in me with 'You can do it,' which allowed me to keep going and reach this point." He also expressed gratitude to the fans.
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*This content was translated by AI.
