Song feels the weight of the captain's armband: “I don't know if I've ever been so tired”
Song feels the weight of the captain's armband: “I don't know if I've ever been so tired”
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South Korea's national baseball team captain Song Sung-moon (28, Kiwoom Heroes) is always smiling.
But after the start of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 Group B tournament, he had to work hard to hide the pain behind his smile.
It wasn't until the fourth game of the tournament, on Saturday against the Dominican Republic, that Song showed his first real smile.
“I felt a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility, but I'm really happy that I was able to get a hit at a crucial moment and help the team come from behind to win,” Song told reporters after the 9-6 victory over the Dominican Republic at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.
Song, who started at first base in the sixth spot, singled off Dominican Republic starter Franklin Kilome in the bottom of the fifth inning.
It was Song's first international hit and South Korea's first hit off Kilome, who was hit by a perfect pitch.
It was a key part of a five-run eighth inning that turned a 6-4 deficit into the “Promised Eighth.
Song Sung-moon came to the plate with runners on first and third and hit a single to right off Dominican Republic closer Diego Castillo.
The hit cut the South Korean lead to 5-6.
After the hit, 메이저사이트 he stole second on a daring steal and came around to score the game-winning run on Park Sung-han's (SSG Landers) RBI triple that put runners on second and third.
“I was so happy, I don't think I've ever had such goosebumps and excitement in my baseball career,” Song smiled as he recalled Park's hit.
“I'm relieved that we came from behind to win, and I'm glad that we still have some hope. The fans traveled a long way to see us, and I'm glad we gave them a convincing performance. Thanks to their support, we didn't give up,” he said.
Song Sung-moon, who has been running ahead since taking over the captaincy of the national team, was grateful to his teammates.
“Before the tournament started, everyone helped me a lot, so I didn't feel any difficulties. After the tournament started, we lost to Taiwan, and I think I showed a disappointing performance personally, so I was thinking, 'I've never had such a hard time playing baseball,'” he said. ”But I overcame it because my teammates showed faith in me. I'm grateful.”
The game against Australia on Aug. 18 will determine whether Song Sung-moon will keep his captain's armband for the trip to Japan or take it off in Taiwan.
It's a tough call, with Chinese Taipei needing to lose all of their remaining games for South Korea to advance to the Super Round, but Song isn't giving up.
“I'm going to cheer hard for Cuba and Australia (who have games left against Chinese Taipei). You never know in baseball. Even if we are eliminated, we will do our best (against Australia) because it will be our last game under the flag,” he promised.