Professional baseball SSG Landers infielder Ko Myung-jun (23) ended a 17 at-bats hitless streak with a crucial RBI single and a decisive three-run home run.

Ko Myung-jun played as the starting first baseman batting fifth in the away game against Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Park in Daejeon on the 18th, delivering 2 hits in 5 at-bats, including his third home run of the season and 4 RBIs, leading SSG to a 7-3 victory.

SSG became a victim of Hanwha's Cody Ponce's record for most strikeouts in a regular inning with 18 in Game 1 of the doubleheader on the 17th, losing 1-0, but they won the second game 5-2. This led to a two-game winning streak, successfully achieving three consecutive winning series, bringing their season record to 22 wins, 22 losses, and 1 tie, thus restoring a .500 winning percentage and maintaining 4th place.

The escape from Ko Myung-jun's slump was welcomed. After hitting a series of bad results following a double in the 3rd inning against Lotte on the 5th, he fell into a batting slump, going 17 at-bats without a hit until the second game of the doubleheader on the 17th. He had only reached base once on a hit-by-pitch.

However, in his first at-bat of the 1st inning with 2 outs and runners on first and second, he finally got the hit he had been waiting for with an RBI single. Facing Hanwha's starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin with a ball count of 1-2, he pulled a cutter that came in high on the fourth pitch and hit a single that fell in front of the left fielder. This was the moment he made the first score, which turned out to be the game-winning hit.

Then, in the 8th inning with SSG leading 4-2, he exploded with a three-run home run. With 2 outs and runners on first and second, he connected on a fastball clocked at 151 km/h from Hanwha's changed pitcher Jung Woo-joo on the seventh pitch, sending it over the left field wall. The home run traveled 120 meters, marking his third of the season. After hitting his last home run on the 23rd against KT in Suwon, he enjoyed the home run taste again after 19 games. This was especially meaningful as it extended the score to 7-2.

After the game, Ko Myung-jun said, "It was a physically challenging three-game away series (due to the doubleheader on the 17th), but I feel good about bringing home a winning series today, and I'm happy to have contributed to the team's victory," and regarding the situation of his home run in the 8th inning, he explained, "Before stepping to the plate, the hitting coach advised me about the opponent's high fastball usage rate, so I prepared for that. Focusing on the fastball and swinging confidently led to the good long hit."

His teammate and closing pitcher Jo Byeong-hyeon also expressed, "I’m happier because my friend Ko hit a home run. It seems like his batting touch is improving. From the bullpen, it looked like a home run the moment he hit it. It feels good," sharing in the joy.

Ko Myung-jun remarked, "I had not been feeling well, so I increased my training load before and after games. Through many conversations with the hitting coach, I also gained confidence and fine-tuned my swing, and I think today's game resulted in a good outcome," expressing gratitude to Coach Kang Byeong-sik. Additionally, Ko Myung-jun stated, "In the future, rather than focusing on numerical personal records, I will do my best to finish the season without injuries and to contribute to the team's performance."

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