'National Team ERA 0' So Hyoung-jun Steps Up as Japan Killer... Aims to Return to 'Kim Do-young's Spot' and Secure a Final Berth [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Facing their archrival Japan on a crucial stage to achieve five consecutive Asian Games titles. The national team, which defeated Taiwan, is determined to subdue Japan as well, win all games, and advance to the finals.

The baseball national team, led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, will face Japan in the first Super Round match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Toyohashi Citizens Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, starting at 6:30 p.m. on the 25th.

With Kwak Bin (Doosan) starting against Taiwan, Choi Min-seok (Doosan) against Hong Kong, and Oh Won-seok (KT) against Thailand securing three consecutive wins, So Hyoung-jun (KT) has been named the starter for the Super Round match against Japan, carrying one win into the game.

So Hyoung-jun is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Korean national team who has appeared in 20 games this season, pitching 114⅓ innings with an 8-3 record and an ERA of 3.38.

After winning 13 games in his debut year and earning Rookie of the Year honors in the Korean Series, So Hyoung-jun also pitched six scoreless innings in the following year's Korean Series, becoming the winning pitcher and ultimately bringing his team its first championship title since inception.

He had limited experience as a national team player. However, during the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held last March, he started against the Czech Republic, pitched three scoreless innings, and secured the win in his national team debut.

Known for his bold demeanor and mastery of inducing ground balls with his two-seam fastball, So Hyoung-jun will take the mound with the task of minimizing bullpen strain by pitching as many innings as possible if the team reaches the finals, where games are scheduled two days apart.

Changes were also made to the batting lineup. Initially, manager Ryu Ji-hyun indicated plans to use Kim Do-young (KIA), Korea's top hitter, as the leadoff batter, unlike his usual position with his team. This would allow him to bat in the most plate appearances while also potentially taking on a third-batter role after the first inning, following Park Jae-hyun (KIA) at eighth and Kim Ji-chan (Samsung) at ninth.

However, after an underwhelming performance in the first game, he was moved to the third spot for the Hong Kong match but did not produce significant results. Korea recorded 34 hits and 36 runs across three games, with Kim Do-young going 3-for-11 with two RBIs.

He returned to the leadoff spot today. The starting lineup for Korea is: Kim Do-young (third baseman), Kim Ju-won (NC·shortstop), Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha·first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (LG·designated hitter), Park Jun-soon (Doosan·second baseman), Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte·right fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (SSG·catcher), Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), and Kim Ji-chan (center fielder).

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*This content was translated by AI.