[Once and for All] 'A high school rookie born in 2007 made his first appearance in the first division, but was one out really this difficult?'

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Yong-jae, a high school rookie from Gongju High School born in 2007, appeared in relief during the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 30th for the match between the Samsung Lions and Kia Tigers of the 2026 KBO League.

His first opponent was Kim Do-young, a former MVP of the KBO League.

After walking him with a full count, he faced Kia's fourth batter, Castro. The result was a two-run home run over the left-field wall after his 146 km/h fastball was hit squarely.

That wasn't the end. On July 30, 2026.

Park Yong-jae allowed a double to Na Sung-beom and a single to Kim Sun-bin, giving up additional runs. He then surrendered another hit to Ha Joo-seok, who was in peak batting form, putting him in a bases-loaded, two-out situation with more runs scoring.

He finished his debut game by getting Kim Tae-gun to ground out to third base, finally securing the long-awaited out that had been so desperately needed.

Although the score was already 8-2 in favor of the opposing team in the later innings, it was a harsh initiation for the high school rookie. As they say, the ground hardens after the rain...

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*This content was translated by AI.