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“Best sprint of my life”… Kyeonggi Aviation High catcher Han Dong-yeon leads team to Round of 16 with inside-the-park home run [80th Golden Lion Championship]

From Dong-A Ilbo · (1h ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • High school catcher Han Dong-yeon hit an inside-the-park home run to help his team, Kyeonggi Aviation High School, advance to the Round of 16 in the Golden Lion Championship.
  • Kyeonggi Aviation High School is aiming for its first-ever quarterfinals appearance in the tournament.
  • The tournament also saw other notable performances, including a record-setting offensive output from Busan High School.

The Golden Lion Championship, a prestigious high school baseball tournament, is underway, and Kyeonggi Aviation High School is making waves. Catcher Han Dong-yeon's rare inside-the-park home run in the second round against Jeju High School was the highlight, propelling his team to a 7-2 victory and into the Round of 16.

I'm not usually fast, but I ran as fast as I could in my life.

— Han Dong-yeonKyeonggi Aviation High School catcher Han Dong-yeon describing his inside-the-park home run.

This marks a significant achievement for Kyeonggi Aviation High School, as they are now vying for a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Their next challenge comes against Daegu Sangwon High School, a team with a storied past, aiming to reclaim the championship title they last won in 1998.

I hit my first home run of the year.

— Han Dong-yeonKyeonggi Aviation High School catcher Han Dong-yeon after hitting an inside-the-park home run.

The tournament has been filled with exciting moments and standout performances. Daegu Sangwon High School's leadoff hitter, Uhm Yu-sang, had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate, showcasing his talent. Meanwhile, Busan High School set a new tournament record for most runs scored in a single game with an astonishing 25-point performance.

I hit an inside-the-park home run for the first time since I was in third grade.

— Han Dong-yeonKyeonggi Aviation High School catcher Han Dong-yeon reflecting on his rare feat.

As the Golden Lion Championship progresses, the competition intensifies, with teams like Kyeonggi Aviation High School daring to dream of a historic run. The spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence are on full display, capturing the attention of young athletes and fans alike.

Thanks to Dong-yeon hitting one out, we were able to win.

— Lee Tae-seongWinning pitcher Lee Tae-seong on his catcher's performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.