Restoring the Honor of the Lion Corps
For Hanyang’s Victory!

WINNER “TEAM HANYANG”

On July 29th, at BoEun Sports Park in North Chungcheong Province, Team Hanyang faced Yonsei in the finals. After playing for five consecutive days, the players were exhausted but with the championship within reach, they stepped onto the field with determination. In the early innings however, the game did not seem to promise an easy victory. By the end of the 2nd inning, Yonsei had pulled ahead by four runs through consecutive hits, a triple, and timely RBIs. However, baseball can be a long game and fortunately, When middle reliever SungMin Kim entered, he pitched four innings, striking out seven batters, and allowing no runs, completely breaking Yonsei’s momentum. Coach Kim knows the burden on pitchers who have to take the mound every day with their arms far from fresh. In the interview, he talked about the crucial moments when he had to take risks in the finals.

“What really made this tournament memorable is that there were so many times where I had to pull our pitchers earlier than planned. As a coach, it’s tough to pull out an ace you trust. But every time I made a bold change, the next players did their job nicely. The timing worked out very well especially with the second pitchers. They came in during tough situations with runners on base but they handled their innings and gave the team a chance to come back.”

The victory at this year’s National University Baseball Championship was particularly meaningful as it was Coach Kim’s “first.” Although, he was once a player during the golden age of Hanyang Lions baseball and had experienced many championships as a student, this was his very first title as coach, making it all the more special.

“It’s been more than 20 years since I started coaching at Hanyang. That is a long time. Back when I was a player, winning felt so natural that I didn’t feel much emotion. But this championship as a coach really is a tremendous joy.”

This may be why Coach Kim showed a different side from his usual attitude in the dugout. Normally, he is quiet and reserved, but this time, he shouted loudly to cheer on his players and kept the players’ spirits high. His cheers may not have reached the mound, but they were certainly heard by the players in the dugout and the fans in the stands, representing the team’s passion and hunger for victory.

“For 20 years, I’ve tried different ways of motivating my players, but this time I shouted louder than ever. Some parents even commented that I had been unusually loud. In the finals, when we gave up four runs early on, I wanted to make sure we didn’t give up. So I pushed harder with raising my cheering.”

The players felt the same. Team Captain JinWoo Cho responded to his coach’s rallying cries with confidence remarking, “Playing such an important role and winning before graduation means so much to me. The pressure of being the captain became positive pressure as it gave me a firm sense of responsibility and fueled my passion. Thanks to that pressure, I was able to get three hits in the finals and help turn the game around.” The mutual trust between coach and players carried them through the long fight and finally to victory.

The final at Boeun Sports Park in North Chungcheong Province: Players celebrate the joy of victory. (Photo by: Hanyang University Sports Magazine Sajahu)

“These players will shine — even in the pros.”

Coach Kim has dedicated decades to training players and said he saw remarkable growth during this year’s training camp in Jeju. There was a moment when he became convinced that the team could win what they narrowly lost the previous year.

“We needed an ace-level pitcher who could step up in crucial moments. That was something we lacked before. But this year, pitcher JunOh Seo, now in his second year, raised his velocity from 140 km/h to 150 km/h. In the big games, he showed great focus and results.”

He was not the only one. JongHwan Lee, SeungJoo Kim, and SungKyu Lim all showcased sharp instincts in base running, always ready to steal bases and disrupt opposing pitchers, creating scoring chances for the team. The trust that Coach Kim showed in his players allowed them to perform at their best.

They played with confidence in themselves and in their team. National team member GeonBo Shim, who was selected for the 31st Asian Baseball Championship, consistently delivered key RBIs in critical moments. He remarked, “There were many strong opponents in every game, but I’m glad I managed to stay steady throughout.” Flexibility is also important. JoonHyuk Lee, commented on this new experience and opportunities after usually playing as a starting pitcher, but appeared as a closer for the first time in this tournament. “I usually start, but in the semifinals I came in as closer, struck out six batters, and was able to secure the win.” Catcher DoHyun Park, who worked closely with the pitchers throughout the tournament, added, “Our win was possible because of the trust we’ve built with each other over a long time.” Not only did Park manage the pitchers skillfully, but he also contributed offensively, recording two hits, three RBIs, and one home run in four at-bats in the finals, proving himself as both a reliable catcher and a power hitter.

With so much talent and potential throughout the roster, expectations are high for Hanyang’s players to shine on bigger stages. Coach Kim, as both mentor and senior member of the team, gave his heartfelt encouragement saying,

“Whenever I meet professional scouts, I have so much to be proud of about our players. They balance academics and athletics while still producing great results. Baseball careers tend to be longer than in other sports, so I hope people will keep an eye on the potential and future of college players. If they thrive in the pros, the future of Korean baseball will be bright.”

Training for the Presidential Cup, the players renew their determination for victory.