NC coach Kang Myung-hyun praises Seo Ho-cheol and Kim Hyung-jun for 10-hit collaboration

"It was a game-changing hit."

Doosan set the tone early in the first game of the wild-card deciding series between Doosan and NC at Changwon NC Park on April 19. Doosan starter Kwak-Bin Kwak kept the NC bats scoreless until the third inning with his powerful fastball. On the other hand, NC starter Tanner Tully gave up a run in each of the three innings, including a solo home run to Jose Rojas in the top of the third.

The mood of the NC squad naturally sagged. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Seo Ho-cheol, who was batting seventh and starting at third base, hit a 149-kilometer-per-hour pitch from Kwak Bin for a grand slam over the left field fence with two outs. The dugout erupted in celebration, and Changwon NC Park erupted in cheers.

Looking back on Seo's grand slam after the game, NC head coach Kang In-hwa said, "It's true that the atmosphere was down at first when we conceded, but the players who had things they wanted to do concentrated on them and created the result of the reversal." "I think Seo hit a long ball that completely changed the atmosphere and allowed us to play a little better," he said.

Kang also praised catcher Kim Hyung-jun, who started the game. He led the team with a multi-homer, four-RBI performance alongside Seo Ho-chul. "Not only did he hit, but he also did a better job on defense than expected," Kang said, adding, "He's a player we can look forward to seeing more of in the future, seeing as how he was able to pull the middle pitchers from the start."

On the day, NC outscored Dusan 14-9, but also exposed areas for improvement. In particular, how to utilize closer Lee Yong-chan, who has been faltering since the end of the regular season, in the postseason, including the semi-playoffs.

Lee was the team's last pitcher of the day, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings. His struggles were not noticeable because the score was so close. "I don't think it's right to replace a 토토 player who has been our closer for a season," Kang said, "but we'll have to think about whether to move him forward or completely backward depending on the game situation."

"I was worried about the first game, but I think we were able to win because the players played their roles well enough," said Kang. "I want to thank the players for their hard work, and we will prepare well for the next game."

Meanwhile, NC will host SSG, who finished the regular season in third place, in the first round of the semi-finals at Incheon SSG Landers Field on May 22.