episode_0380

[And before today’s game, there is good news for the fans of AT Thunders, isn’t there? AT’s heart that fans have long awaited, player Woo Gwan-hyung, has finally made it onto the first team entry list after overcoming a long injury.]

[That’s right. Although Coach Lee Soo-hyun announced that he would start the game from the bench in this series, due to his good training results, he can be substituted in at any time according to Coach Lee Soo-hyun.]

[With yesterday’s victory, AT Thunders reclaimed the top spot, so the return of player Woo Gwan-hyung must be reassuring. Can AT Thunders maintain their top position? Today, I will reveal AT Thunders’ lineup. 1st batter Jung Hwi-cheol, 2nd batter Ji Maeng-ho, 3rd batter Ki Sang-joo, 4th batter Choi Jin-cheol, 5th batter Kim Soo-ho, 6th batter Yoon Sung-tae, 7th batter Baek Jeong-jin, 8th batter Kim Hyun-seong, 9th batter Lee In-hyuk. It’s the same lineup as yesterday.]

[The balance of the batting order is really good, isn’t it? Moreover, with Choi Jin-cheol, who struggled at the beginning of the season, taking charge at 4th, AT’s upward trend was expected, wasn’t it?]

[If Williams and Jung Yoon-cheol also make a comeback, the team will be complete. If those two players return, it seems like nothing can stop them. Now, let me tell you about JT Golden Eyes’ defensive positions. Starting pitcher Park Jung-seop and catcher Han Jeong-hyuk formed the battery, …]

*

“Hey, Jung-seop’s pitches are fierce today, aren’t they?”

“He missed out on the Olympics. He has every reason to be upset.”

“Well, he went to the WBC last year too. Must be disappointing.”

“Don’t you think Jin-cheol hyung would be all angry and stuff? Eliminated from the national team. No rage-induced four consecutive home runs?”

“What national team at my age. It’d be a nuisance if I went at this age.”

“Hyung’s classmate Han Beom is doing well.”

“Come on, are you comparing me to Kang Han-beom?”

Today’s starting pitcher for JT is Park Jung-seop, a former national team member and JT’s ace. His pitching seemed as fierce as if he were trying to resolve some regret from missing out on the national team, just as his seniors had mentioned.

Park Jung-seop, the last founding member of the KBA and the ace of perennial underdog team JT Golden Eyes, didn’t have much recognition in the league as a dominating ace, but he was undoubtedly a skilled player, having been selected for the WBC in the past.

Even if he were to be called up to the national team now, there wouldn’t be any objections. This season, he had recorded an ERA in the late twos, making his selection likely, but he was edged out of the national team by Jang Woo-joo, Kim Won-ho, and Shin Soo-ho, possibly because the chairman favored younger players. Reasons cited included the specialized bullpen role of Shin Soo-ho or Kim Won-ho’s bullpen experience until last year, but from the player’s perspective, it was a situation that naturally led to frustration.

“But why take it out on us?”

Today, Park Jung-seop seemed to have found his rhythm, delivering five innings of scoreless pitching against us while venting his frustrations. I managed to draw one walk, but in the other plate appearances, I was left hitless in one at-bat, retreating with a bunt in front of the infield wall.

Normally, facing Park Jung-seop, who I had good chemistry with, hitting a consecutive home run wouldn’t have been unusual, but today felt different. Furthermore, usually a bit shaky, he would throw bland pitches when pressured, but today, he hardly allowed any baserunners, not showing such weaknesses.

Fortunately, Croongs also held JT’s lineup to one run over five innings, but losing still left a sour taste.

“Alright, gather around.”

Thus began the cleaning break with a score of 1-0. Captain Choi Jin-cheol called the fielders together. While Woo Gwan-hyung watched Choi Jin-cheol’s serious demeanor with a slight smile, I couldn’t help but notice how serious Choi Jin-cheol appeared compared to usual.

“Now, you know he’s coming back for the third time, right? Jungseop, he throws well, but it’s not like he can’t be hit, right?”

“Right!”

“Hwichul, you’re important. You know we waver when Jungseop takes the lead, right?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Let’s all go in with determination. We’re facing Crocs today, and losing is not an option, right? And if we go from first place to last in just one day, imagine the backlash. Alright, everyone focus. Let’s go! Invincible!”

“AT!”

With that, the meeting ended and the 6th inning began.

Thud!

Even though Jincheol senior said it with a look of spitting blood, Jung Hwichul seemed to have missed the point as he backed away after hitting a ground ball. He did well yesterday, but his form didn’t last even a day.

“Ah… I’m sorry. The ball looks good.”

“You should eat two more bowls of rice from now on.”

“What?!”

“If you lack strength, hits won’t escape the infield. Watch what I do.”

After saying that and patting Jung Hwichul’s shoulder, he tried to walk towards the batter’s box. Seeing how the guy flinched at my gestures, it seemed like he needed to eat more.

“How can a guy be so weak and still try to date someone, tsk. Right, Rosie?”

“What’s that got to do with you?”

“…You’re right. Tell me about the pitch.”

“It’s a fastball.”

A fastball for the first pitch? Is he feeling confident? Looking at Park Jungseop on the mound, he seemed somewhat different than usual. With the Olympics just a month away, there was a sense of giving it their all, considering other players might get injured or drop out during this time.

Perhaps feeling ready to throw, he put some power into it. I cleared my mind and focused on his pitch.

“Ball.”

It was a ball, but not too far off. It was a sharp pitch aimed to pull the bat down. Well, I wasn’t planning to swing anyway.

I was expecting his changeup. His grip seemed good today, so I didn’t want to engage in a head-on battle. If the score allowed for it and I had room, I could face him directly, but in a situation where hitting the changeup was more probable, there was no need to engage in a foolish fight with low odds.

“Ball.”

“Strike!”

After waiting for about two pitches, the awaited changeup sign finally came.

“It’s a slider.”

“A slider? Okay.”

Since he hadn’t responded to the fastball at all, it seemed like he had decided to throw a changeup. Probably aware that I was aiming for the changeup, he would likely throw it outside.

The decision here was easy. Inside or outside? Normally, he would throw a slider outside to draw a swing, but judging by his confidence today, it was more likely inside.

Setting up for an inside hit, I waited for his slider. And then his pitch.

“Huh?”

The ball flew straight down the middle. Outside track! I quickly extended my arm to make contact with the ball.

Thud!

A dull sound accompanied by the sensation at the end of the bat.

“Darn it. He was supposed to pitch inside!”

As soon as I made contact with the ball, I ran to first base, and the ball bounced once between the infield and the gap between first and second base. No, between first base and second base. Due to the shift, the second baseman, who was leaning towards second base, couldn’t reach it, and the first baseman, positioned between first and second base, dove desperately trying to catch my hit.

And then,

-Whoa!!

“Phew… That was close.”

The ball didn’t reach first base until I arrived. A hit rolling to right field. The hit wasn’t great, but the outcome was favorable.

“But what’s this? Despite making a throwing expression towards the body side, it ended up being on the outside after all?”

Even the formidable Park Jung-seop, with his excellent condition, seemed to lack the courage to throw a slider towards my body. Being a pitcher with a good poker face, he completely fooled me. The result was favorable, though. Anyway, with one out and a runner on first base, a chance to catch up with the score had come.

“If it’s a changeup, I’ll run right away.”

“Alright.”

As July approached and the weather got hotter, I had been refraining from running these days, but in a situation like this, I couldn’t help but run.

“Ball!”

“Second base!”

Seizing the opportunity with his changeup, I sprinted straight to second base. And naturally, the result was a double play. This made it one out with a runner on second base.

Thunk!

And as if to emphasize that my efforts were not in vain, a well-hit ball split the center field. A hit that struck the outfield wall at a rapid speed.

-Home run! Home run! Home run!

Due to the ball’s speed, it couldn’t make it to second base, but it was a hit good enough for me to come home.

“Nice steal!”

“This guy is really fast.”

With the game now tied, Park Jung-seop, who appeared different from usual, still seemed unyielding. People don’t change easily, especially seeing him throw an outside slider to me. In such a crisis situation, there was a high possibility that Park Jung-seop would falter.

“Alright! Let’s turn this around!”

Thud!

“Second base!”

“Out!”

“First base!”

“Out!”

“…Sorry.”

“Choi Jin-cheol doesn’t show any signs of anger like Park Jung-seop, even after being dropped from the national team…”

“I heard that earlier too, man.”

“….”

“…A hit.”

However, Choi Jin-cheol managed to create a ground ball in front of the shortstop while hitting a first pitch, resulting in a double play. We scored a run, but it was a disappointing outcome. Choi Jin-cheol, coming in after hitting into a double play, grabbed his bat without meeting the eyes of other players.

“Well, at least we managed to tie the game.”

“[Haha, good. Good. It was a nice score. Ji. Counting on you next time.]”

Looking at Crongs’ condition, it seemed like the next 1-2 innings would be manageable, giving us some relief.

“Phew. Alright. Let’s win today’s game and maintain our first place.”

—

“Strikeout! Crongs finishes the threat he created himself. Despite allowing one run in the 7th inning, AT’s ace, Crongs, records a Quality Start Plus by not allowing any more runs. Now, the game moves to the top of the 8th inning!”

Although Ji Maeng-ho’s tying run created a positive atmosphere for the AT Thunders, the game was far from easy. Crongs, the starting pitcher for AT, pitched well with 7 innings and 2 earned runs, but today’s Park Jung-seop proved to be a formidable pitcher.

“Trailing by one run in the top of the 8th inning, AT needs more runs to win.”

“Today’s starting pitcher, Park Jung-seop, had a great performance, holding the strong-hitting AT lineup to one run through 7 innings. And coming up to pitch… it’s still Park Jung-seop. AT’s leadoff hitter is Kim Hyun-seong. Here, Manager Lee Soo-hyun sends in a pinch hitter. The pinch hitter is Han Sang-gyu.”

Thunk!

“The ball goes high! Left fielder! Chasing after it! Sliding catch! He got it! Out! Park Jung-seop helps with the defense, making a one-out catch!”

“Oh, the hit seemed a bit tricky, but Arnaudo showed great defense.”

But even Park Jung-seop, who had been delivering outstanding pitches, managed to make a one-out catch. Was it due to a sense of relief?

“Now, one out. The 9th batter, Baek Jeong-jin, steps up to the plate. Ball, ball… Baek Jeong-jin draws a walk! Keeping the spark for victory alive!”

Today’s 9th batter, Baek Jeong-jin, drew a walk and walked to first base.

“AT moved up to first place after yesterday’s game, but if Hwasan wins today’s game, they will go back to second place. It’s a crucial situation for the AT Thunders.”

And…

Now, with a runner on first base and the leadoff batter Jung Hwichul stepping in… Oh, they’re sending in a pinch hitter again! And that pinch hitter is none other than the heart of AT that AT fans have been eagerly awaiting, Woo Kwanhyung!

Woo Kwanhyung, boasting a batting average of .439 in the Futures League, has proven his impeccable physical condition. How will he perform at the plate this time?

“Woo Kwanhyung! Woo Kwanhyung!”

“Invincible A! T! Woo Kwanhyung! Woo~!! Woo~!!”

…In the bottom of the 8th inning, trailing 2-1, amidst the cheers echoing through the stadium after a long time, the awaited Woo Kwanhyung stepped up to the plate for AT fans.