'Clutch hit erasing late first-half pain' LG's Cheon Seong-ho: "Mentally recovering, hoping the team climbs higher to lighten my burden"

*This content was translated by AI.

LG infielder Cheon Seong-ho (29) managed to shed some of the bitter pain from his final at-bat in the first half. Although he led his team to victory with a thrilling walk-off hit against Samsung Lions on the 4th, his gaze was already fixed on an even higher goal.

In fact, Cheon Seong-ho's final game of the first half this season remains an indelible scar. During the last game of the first half on July 9 at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, with LG trailing 5-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning, two outs, and bases loaded against Samsung, Cheon Seong-ho stepped up to the plate after a bases-loaded walk by Park Dong-won. He hit a pitch from Samsung's closer Kim Jae-yoon, but it was caught by Samsung shortstop Kim Sang-jun, who had moved forward in anticipation of a ground ball, resulting in a 6-4-3 double play that ended the game. That at-bat, which forced him to watch his team lose by just one run, became a heavy burden throughout the All-Star break.

However, after nearly two months, when faced with another critical moment, Cheon Seong-ho did not hesitate. In the Samsung Lions game on the 4th, LG trailed 0-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning before launching a fierce comeback. Shin Min-jae's infield single and Austin's walk loaded the bases with one out. Song Chan-ui then hit an RBI single to score one run. Although Samsung replaced its starting pitcher and brought in relief pitchers, Moon Bo-kyung smashed a two-run double through left-center field, instantly tying the game at 3-3.

With runners on first and second and two outs in the next inning, the bench selected Cheon Seong-ho as a pinch hitter. Stepping into the batter's box without hesitation, Cheon swung and hit a clean RBI single that dropped just in front of the left fielder. It was the game-winning hit that turned the score to 4-3, instantly dispelling the nightmare of the first half.

After the game, Cheon Seong-ho calmly shared his thoughts: "I stepped up to the plate with the mindset that I had to solve it no matter what. I'm glad the result was good and that I could contribute even a little to the team's victory."

He also openly discussed the emotional struggles he endured at the end of the first half. Cheon Seong-ho said, "My mental state wasn't fully recovered after the first half ended, but I'm relieved that we got good results. I will continue to strive to show good performances in the future."

The reason he couldn't smile freely even after hitting the game-winning hit was the lingering sense of responsibility. Cheon Seong-ho stated, "Since the team is still in third place, I don't think I can say I've completely shaken off the burden. It's too early to give up." He added firmly, "If the team climbs higher, I believe my mental burden will also lighten."

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*This content was translated by AI.