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"I should have gotten Hilliard out, but I think I ran away because I didn't want to get hit."
Despite recording his first career postseason save on the Korea Series (KS) stage, reflection came first. Samsung Lions' Bae Chan-seung (20) saved his team by breaking through a final crisis in the 12th inning of extra innings with a head-on approach using a fast pitch clocked at 152 km/h. He even set an ambitious goal to win three consecutive games in Daegu to clinch the championship.
In Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against KT Wiz on the 4th at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Bae Chan-seung took the mound in the bottom of the 12th inning and recorded a save with one hit allowed, one walk, two strikeouts, and no earned runs over one inning.
Samsung defeated KT 3-2 after a tight contest that went to extra innings. Having lost Game 1 the previous day by a score of 7-8, Samsung evened the series at 1-1 before heading to Daegu. It was an unforgettable victory for Bae Chan-seung as well. He had held on with one hit allowed, one walk, one strikeout, and no earned runs over one inning in Game 1 the day before, guarding Samsung's back end without allowing a run for two consecutive days. In particular, he also collected his first career postseason save on this day.
The situation was far from easy. After taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning on a RBI hit by Lewin Diaz, Samsung allowed a bases-loaded walk to Kim Hyun-soo in the bottom of the 10th, giving up the tie. However, they took the lead again at 3-2 in the top of the 12th inning by capitalizing on an opposing defensive error, and Manager Park Jin-man entrusted the final three outs to Bae Chan-seung.
The start was perfect. Against leadoff pinch hitter Bae Jeong-dae, Bae Chan-seung recorded strikes with a fastball and changeup before inducing a swinging strikeout with a slider. His duel with An Hyun-min was also intense. He focused on throwing changeups to the lower part of the strike zone. There were tense moments when foul balls that could have been home runs flew out, but he ultimately induced a swing-and-miss with a changeup, recording back-to-back strikeouts against two batters.
However, the final out was not easy to come by. Facing Sam Hilliard, who had produced several good hits earlier in the game, Bae Chan-seung approached cautiously by throwing an outside bait pitch. He eventually gave up a walk, and with a wild pitch, the runner advanced to second base. After the game, Bae Chan-seung reflected, "I should have gotten Hilliard out, but I think I ran away because I didn't want to get hit. That was wrong; I should have competed."
After giving up the walk and snapping out of it, Bae Chan-seung's final opponent was Kim Hyun-soo, the MVP of last year's Korea Series. It was a situation where one powerful hit could have turned the game around.
Bae Chan-seung chose to go head-on. He threw a 152 km/h four-seam fastball high in the strike zone, then followed with another fast pitch of the same speed right down the middle. Kim Hyun-soo's ground ball went to the second baseman, securing Samsung's 3-2 victory. Bae Chan-seung recalled the moment of decision, saying, "I thought I shouldn't throw like before and should be a bit more aggressive."
After recording the final out, he did not hide his emotions. Bae Chan-seung performed an energetic celebration on the pitcher's mound. He smiled and said, "I think it came out because I got excited without realizing it. I don't know if it looked cool, but I wanted to try it once."
He also did not forget to express gratitude toward his seniors. Bae Chan-seung said, "My seniors told me that I did incredibly well. Because the seniors in front of me set things up so well, I was able to perform well at the end." He added, "The game was truly thrilling. It was fun and exhilarating even for me watching from the bullpen."
Now, Samsung will play Games 3 through 5 of the Korea Series at their home ground in Daegu. For Samsung, aiming for a championship for the first time in 12 years since 2014, another reliable card has emerged in Bae Chan-seung. Even as a freshman at Daegu High School, his top speed was only 132 km/h, but he raised it to 148 km/h as a sophomore and won the Star Award in the baseball category at the 2023 "Futures Star Awards."
As a junior, he clocked 152 km/h and was drafted by Samsung with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft. From his debut year, he made the opening roster and never left the first division, recording 65 games, 2 wins, 3 losses, 19 holds, and a 3.91 ERA. In August of that year, he clocked a top speed of 158 km/h, proving his potential. The promising prospect who had been in the spotlight since high school grew into a pitcher who could protect a victory in the 12th inning of extra innings in the Korea Series within just two years of turning pro.
Bae Chan-seung stated, "Since I was able to overcome such a big game, I think I will be a little less nervous and pitch better starting from the next game." He resolved himself by adding, "Going back home makes my mind feel much lighter. I will strive to win all three games in Daegu so we can claim the championship immediately."
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