Posted May. 05, 2017 07:15,
Updated May. 05, 2017 07:20
At the opening match of the Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Championship on Thursday, Dongsan High School was on the verge of being eliminated in the first game, losing 4-7 against Songtan Jeil High School until the seventh inning. Dongsan, which advanced to the final tournament after topping regional qualifiers, was considered superior to Songtan. However, Dongsan had a tough game, allowing six steals during the first seven innings.
The table was turned in the eighth inning, when Songtan's starting pitcher Sohn Ho-jin came down the mound. Catching up to 5-7 and with the bases fully loaded with one out, Jang Gwang-seok, a freshman at Dongsan, sent the ball deep into the center field, bringing all the three runners home. The next hitter also made a hit to bring Jang home to complete a come-from-behind victory. Jang, who joined the game in the bottom of the seventh as a pinch hitter, led his team's victory by making two hits in two times at bat with three runs batted in and one run scored.
"I was nervous because this was a national championship and broadcast on television, but I tried not to show it," Jang said while smiling. "My seniors called me today's most valuable player. I will never forget today's game." Keum Kwang-ok, Dongsan's manager, also praised Jang, saying the freshman will become the team's "treasure" with boldness and good batting skills.