KIA Tigers Han Jun-su, who took over as the starting catcher, contributed to the team’s 7th consecutive win.
KIA won 12-4 in the 12th game 스포츠토토 of the season against SSG Landers in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 2nd, and held the game between Gwangju NC Dinos on July 1, 2021 and Gwangju Hanwha Eagles on August 10. After 753 days, they had 7 consecutive wins. KIA’s season record, which secured the winning series, was 55 wins, 2 draws, and 50 losses.
Junsu Han, who started as the 8th hitter and catcher, left a strong impression by going 2 hits in 4 at-bats, including 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 walk. This is the third multi-hit game since the start of this season.
Before the game, KIA coach Kim Jong-guk expressed expectations for Han Jun-su’s performance, saying, “Han Jun-su has been working well with Yoon Young-cheol, and there is also a level of management of Kim Tae-gun’s condition.” It has been shown.
Junsu Han lived up to that belief from his first at-bat. He hit SSG starter Seung-won Moon’s four-pitch fastball from first base with no outs in the top of the second inning, with the team ahead 2-0, and hit his second home run of the season, going over the right wall. Coincidentally, the place where the Masugyeol gun exploded was also Incheon SSG Landers Field (July 5).
After that, Han Jun-su’s bat continued to spin sharply. He achieved multiple hits by recording a double with 2 outs in the top of the 4th inning, and got a walk in the top of the 6th inning. Neither the double nor the walk resulted in a score, but just putting pressure on the opponent was significant. Coach Kim Jong-guk also praised Han Jun-su, saying, “Han Jun-su did a good job in attack and defense.”
After the game, Han Jun-su said, “I thought I passed over after getting hit at first,” and smiled, “(Kim) Sun-bin hyung jokingly said something like, ‘It’s your land again, so do well,’ and there were really good results.”
Han Jun-su, who formed a battery with Yoon Young-cheol, said, “(Yoon) Young-cheol had not been able to win before, and I studied and thought before I left. I went into the game with the intention of giving up only 3 runs even if I gave up runs until the 5th inning. “I went, and I think the results were good,” he said. “After the second strike, I was too greedy for the fastball, which resulted in a bad result, but even after the second strike, I thought about breaking balls rather than fastballs, which led to good results.”
As Incheon SSG Landers Field is a hitter-friendly stadium, there was a risk of long hits, but Han Jun-su did not pay much attention. He said, “Rather than thinking about long hits, I didn’t really think about that because if the ball was slow, it would be hard for the hitters. If I went midday or adjusted the up and down, I got good results, so I continued to do that.”
Even though Junsu Han was on base three times, including a home run, he still had some regrets about his last at-bat. He said, “I think contact should come first, and that was the case for the first two at-bats, but in the last at-bat, I seem to have picked up a bad habit and hit a bad ball. I think hitting confidently is an advantage, and I think I should hit it aggressively on the first pitch.” I reflected.
It may not be easy to survive in KIA, where there is a clear starting catcher, but Han Jun-su is trying to make the most of the opportunity given. He said, “Going out or not going out is the second problem. I’m always preparing in the dugout. I’m happy (to be in the 1st team), but I think I have to work that hard, so I have to always work hard whether I’m in the 1st or 2nd team.” “I think so,” he said.
Han Jun-su, who received various advice from the 1st and 2nd teams, said, “The 2nd team coach (Son Seung-rak) told me not to make mistakes and to do it like I did in the 2nd team.” He added, “Don’t try to do too well, but the game is the same, so do your best as much as possible.” “I think I thought I would do it,” he said, looking back.
Finally, Junsu Han said, “KIA fans always come and support me, and I am really grateful and I think it gives strength to the players.” He added, “When I play, I don’t feel like I’m going to lose, so I feel like I’ll win even if I’m losing.” “There is no time to rest in the batting lineup because the players are doing so well in the front. It is comfortable for me to be in the back, and I think it is good because the seniors are next to me. First of all, I want to go up as much as the team can and win the championship.” .