The Hanwha Eagles of the KBO set a new record for attendance. Achieving the first-ever 15 consecutive sellouts in a single season, they have established themselves as a popular team nationwide.

Hanwha reported that all 17,000 seats were filled early ahead of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League home game against the Doosan Bears held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on 13th. This was their 17th sellout in their 20th home game of the season. Since the game against Kiwoom on 13th last month, they have recorded 13 consecutive sellouts at home.

Hanwha's popularity is also strong on the road. Starting from the game against Lotte at Sajik on 24th last month (22,669 attendees), Hanwha sold out every ticket for six consecutive road games, including the game against KIA in Gwangju on 2nd (20,500 attendees) and the game against Kiwoom at Gocheok from 9th to 11th (16,000 attendees).

As a result, Hanwha achieved 15 consecutive sellouts from the game against Lotte at Sajik on 24th last month to the game against Doosan in Daejeon today. This marks the first record of 15 consecutive sellouts in a single season in the league. The previous record was 14 consecutive sellouts, achieved once by KIA last year (from the game against Kiwoom in Gwangju on September 7 to the game against NC in Gwangju on September 30) and once by LG this year (from the game against KIA in Gwangju on April 25 to the game against Samsung in Daegu on May 11).

On the day when the unprecedented attendance record was set, Hanwha unfortunately ended their remarkable winning streak. After a closely contested extra innings game, they lost 3-4 to Doosan, marking the end of their 12-game winning streak that began with the game against KT in Daejeon on 26th last month and continued until the game against Kiwoom at Gocheok on 11th. They aimed to break the all-time club record of 14 consecutive wins set by their predecessor Binggrae in 1992, but they will have to wait for another opportunity.

Although they lost the game, the match itself was thrilling. Starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin showcased his power with a top speed of 150 km/h, allowing only 6 hits over 6 innings, with no walks, 5 strikeouts, and 1 earned run (unearned). He demonstrated his readiness and thrilled fans with a dramatic game-tying home run in the ninth inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and trailing 1-3, Hanwha's Lee Jin-young drew a walk against Doosan's closer Kim Taek-yeon, and then Choi In-ho came to bat. Choi In-ho hit a high fastball from Kim Taek-yeon on his fourth pitch, but it soared into the foul territory near third base. Just as the game appeared set to end with a foul fly, a communication mishap between Doosan catcher Kim Gi-yeon and third baseman Lim Jong-seong led to neither player catching the ball. This resulted in an error recorded against Kim Gi-yeon.

Taking advantage of the opponent's mistake, Choi In-ho did not miss the opportunity. After making three foul cuts and not taking a single ball, he diligently troubled Kim Taek-yeon before connecting with a 151 km/h fastball that came in low on the ninth pitch. The ball, traveling at a speed of 165 km/h and an angle of 31.1 degrees, sailed over the right field monster wall. The distance of the home run was 120 meters, marking his first of the season. This home run also resulted in Kim Taek-yeon's third blown save of the season, causing Hanwha Life Eagles Park to erupt in excitement.

Though it seemed a thrilling comeback story for a 13-game winning streak was unfolding, Hanwha fell just short. After closer Kim Seo-hyun successfully navigated a two-out, one and two-base crisis in the 10th inning, they had a chance to win in the bottom of the 10th with two outs and two runners on base, but Moon Hyun-bin struck out swinging. In the top of the 11th, Kim Jong-soo allowed a one-run double to Doosan's Lim Jong-seong, giving up the winning run with two outs and two on base.

In the final attack in the bottom of the 11th, Hanwha had another opportunity. After leadoff hitter Noh Si-hwan hit a single to right, the pinch runner Lee Sang-hyuk was put in as the tying runner. However, during the first pitch to Chae Eun-sung, a failed attempt to steal second ended the momentum. Chae Eun-sung struck out swinging, and Lee Jin-young flew out to right field, bringing the 12-game winning streak to an end.

Following the defeat after 18 days since the game against KT in Daejeon on 25th last month, Hanwha's record is now 27 wins and 14 losses (winning percentage .659), allowing second-placed LG, who won 9-6 against Kiwoom that day, to share the top position.

Although the winning streak has ended, Choi In-ho's game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth left an unforgettable moment for the sold-out crowd of 17,000. Hanwha will restart with right-handed pitcher Moon Dong-ju as the starter against Doosan on the 14th. Doosan will counter with left-handed pitcher Jack Log.

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