KT manager Lee Kang-chul had a worrying day due to two headshots during the game.
The second game of the doubleheader between KT and Lotte in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League was held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 11th.
Lotte's Yoo Kang-nam and Kim Min-seong were out on fly balls in the top of the fourth, but Jeon Jun-woo and Son Ho-young reached base on walks, creating a chance with two outs and runners on first and second base. In this crucial moment, Lee Ho-jun, at bat, was struck hard on the back of the helmet by a 130 km slider from KT starter Oh Won-seok and collapsed onto the ground. Holding his head in pain, Lee Ho-jun was urgently transported by ambulance after receiving first aid from the medical staff and the team's trainer.
There was a torrent of boos from the visiting fans directed at Oh Won-seok. Manager Lee Kang-chul comforted Oh Won-seok, who had quietly thrown through the top of the sixth.
The substituted pitcher Won Sang-hyun threw a fastball that headed toward Yoo Kang-nam's head during a bases loaded crisis in the seventh inning. Yoo Kang-nam showed signs of discomfort. At this moment, manager Lee Kang-chul visited the mound. Encouraged by the manager, Won Sang-hyun overcame the bases loaded crisis and left the mound without allowing any runs.
Manager Lee Kang-chul went to the field once again. In the top of the eighth, tied at 1-1, leadoff hitter Son Seong-bin was struck on the back of the helmet by Son Dong-hyun's third pitch, a 125 km forkball, with a ball count of 1B-1S. Surprised by the second headshot, manager Lee Kang-chul examined Son Seong-bin's condition with a serious expression. He then expressed his regret to manager Kim Tae-hyung about the two headshots.
On this day, the two teams finished in a 1-1 draw. Manager Lee Kang-chul could not smile due to his remorse towards the opponent who suffered from two headshots and his concern for the pitching staff, who would have been shocked mentally. After the game, KT coach Je Choon-mo, along with captain Jang Seong-woo and Woo Kyu-min, visited the Lotte dugout to apologize and engage in conversation with veteran players such as Jeon Jun-woo and Jeong Hoon.
[OSEN]