Doosan Bears are poised to take on the formidable super ace Cody Ponce from Hanwha Eagles in their upcoming matchup in the 2025 KBO League. Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan believes that his team has the courage and confidence to approach this challenge with a positive mindset, emphasizing the importance of aggressive batting against a top pitcher.
The game is set for the 23rd at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, where the Bears look to capitalize on their recent success. In the previous encounter against Hanwha, Doosan’s batters delivered an impressive performance, racking up 15 hits, including five home runs, leading to a convincing 13-2 victory. Cho expressed his pride in the players’ ability to hit well and run the bases effectively, which reflects a growing confidence in the lineup.
Cho’s remarks to the team focused on the need to remain brave in the face of adversity, particularly when facing an elite pitcher like Ponce, who boasts an outstanding record of 12 wins and no losses this season. He stressed that while Ponce may throw difficult pitches, every ball eventually passes in front of the players, and they must be ready to make quality swings regardless of the situation.
“The value of facing an A-class pitcher like Ponce cannot be understated,” Cho stated. “Even if the results aren’t what we hoped for, there’s a lot we can learn. Studying Ponce’s pitching can ultimately lead to growth and confidence among our hitters.”
In the spotlight, Park Joon-soon stood out in the last game against Hanwha, achieving three hits in four at-bats, including a home run and an RBI. Although he fell just short of a cycling hit, his performance showcases his potential and importance to the team’s offense. Additionally, Kim Dae-han, a recent call-up from the second division, also made an impact, contributing two hits and three RBIs.
Looking ahead, Cho has assembled a strong lineup to tackle Ponce, aiming to continue the momentum from their previous outing. This matches the Bears’ recent upward trend, suggesting a hopeful outlook for the game against Hanwha. The players are eager to embrace the challenge and demonstrate their growth as a team.