No hits in 3 at-bats → No hits in 2 at-bats → 3 hits in 4 at-bats in the opening game, so spring is finally here for the home run king in the exhibition game
Mar 23, 2025
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A different result from the previous two openers. It was the best opening game and the best game since his debut.
Song Chan-eui, a right-handed prospect of the LG Twins, opened the 2025 season wide with three hits, his most in a single game, in the opening game.
Song Chan-eui started as the sixth designated hitter in the opening game against the Lotte Giants at Jamsil on the 22nd and recorded three hits, one RBI, one run and one strikeout in four at-bats. This is the first time Song Chan-eui, who has played in the first division since 2022, has had three hits in a game.
Song Chan-eui, who became a surprise star with six home runs in the 2022 exhibition game, made his first first first-team appearance by starting in the opening game of that year. He played as a designated hitter twice in the opening game against the KIA Tigers, but had no hits and one RBI in three at-bats, and only hit 236 (17 hits in 72 at-bats) with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 33 games that year. He also started the opening game in 2023. On April 1, he started as the 7th-1st baseman against lefty Benjamin in the KT Wiz match, and had no hits in 2 at-bats and remained batting average of 566 (1 hit in 18 at-bats) in 19 games that year. Last year, he failed to make the opening entry and played in a total of 10 games, recording a batting average of 67 (1 hit in 15 at-bats).
Song Chan-eui, who started again from the closing camp after the season, consistently showed good performance and was able to prepare for the opening game by being notified in advance by manager Yeom Kyung-yeop.
Song Chan-eui, who faced Lotte left-handed starter Charlie Barnes, was struck out swinging on a changeup in the seventh pitch in the bottom of the first inning while competing for a full count with one out and a runner on the first base.
In the bottom of the third inning with a 3-0 lead, he made a sacrifice bunt in front of the third baseman to create an opportunity for a large score. He had his first hit in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With two outs and runners on second base, Lotte's second pitcher Kim Kang-hyun hit a 130-kilometer slider on the first pitch and hit a double that rolled to the left fence. His first RBI of the season. A right-handed pitcher came out and would be replaced by Moon Sung-joo, but manager Yeom gave Song Chan-eui a chance and just in time, a good hit came out.
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Song Chan-eui had a batting average of 261 (6 hits in 23 at-bats) and five RBIs in the exhibition game. All of them were single hits without any long balls, but he also had four walks and had a good on-base percentage of 0.414. He didn't show off his long hit like he used to, but showed good performance on base and contact.
Song Chan-eui "Before, I only tried to hit all the balls hard. So there were a lot of fouls and the count started unfavorable. However, due to ABS, I definitely divide the balls that I can hit and only play the balls that I can think about at bat, so I think they fit well with the bat," he said, adding that he tries to hit the right a lot after two strikes. Of course, when I hit it, I didn't go to the right, but when I thought about the direction to the right, I put up with the breaking ball and there was a good contact ball. "
It was also helpful to take a solid preparation posture on the advice of senior Kim Hyun-soo, who has been working out with him since the winter.
Coach Yeom told Song Chan-eui about starting the opening game and said "It's not always a chance that comes." He is also well aware of the past three years of experience. So the three hits of this opening game come differently.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
