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South Korea Opens WBC Tuneup With 3-0 Win Over Czech Republic

Ryu Ji-hyun's first game as national manager emphasized analytics, with a young bullpen overpowering Czech hitters.

Members of the South Korean national baseball team prepare for the start of a practice session at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 7, 2025. (Yonhap)
Members of the South Korean national baseball team pose for a group photo at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Yonhap)
Pavel Chadim (2nd from L), manager of the Czech Republic national baseball team, poses with other guests for a reception hosted by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in Seoul on Nov. 7, 2025, the eve of a game between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Seoul, in this photo provided by the KBO. From left: Czechia captain Martin Muzik, Chadim, Czech Ambassador to South Korea Ivan Jancarek, KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-youn, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun and South Korea captain Park Hae-min. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Ryu Ji-hyun, manager of the South Korean national baseball team, laughs during a media availability ahead of practice at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Seven pitchers held the visitors to three singles, with six relievers born after 2000 combining for 13 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.
  • Starter Gwak Been threw two hitless innings with four strikeouts and reached 156 kph on his four-seam fastball.
  • Ryu Ji-hyun prioritized wRC+ in building the order, moving rookie Ahn Hyun-min into the No. 2 spot for his managerial debut.
  • The offense produced two early runs before a long hitless stretch, reflecting the rust Ryu attributed to the offseason layoff.
  • The sides play again Sunday in Seoul before Korea faces Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 15–16 as part of the K-Baseball Series ahead of their 2026 WBC Pool C campaign.