Kiwoom Heroes Clinch Dramatic Win Against Lotte Giants Amid Heavy Snow

On March 18, 2025, Kiwoom Heroes emerged victorious against the Lotte Giants with a thrilling 3-2 win at Gocheok Sky Dome, largely due to rookie Yeo Dong-wook’s clutch solo home run during the 8th inning. The match was particularly significant as it marked the only pre-season game to be played on this day, following the cancellation of four other games due to heavy snowfall affecting various locations including Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Daejeon Hanwha Life Park, Suwon KT Wiz Park, and Gwangju KIA Champions Field.

Hong Won-ki, the head coach of the Kiwoom Heroes, was unfazed by the snow and expressed satisfaction with the team's adherence to the pre-season schedule, stating, "The solo concert is not bad." Ahead of the game against the Lotte Giants, he emphasized the importance of executing their planned player usage. This perspective highlights the coach's commitment to ensuring players maintain their competitive edge as they approach the regular season.

“We utilized the players according to the pre-season schedule for the game,” Hong remarked, reinforcing his strategy to have the team end their pre-season preparations on schedule. This approach was even more pivotal considering the other planned matches were canceled. The conditions at Gocheok Sky Dome, being free from severe weather due to its design, allowed Kiwoom to proceed unimpeded with their final game.

The snowstorm on March 18 led to the KBO announcing the cancellation of four matches, marking this as the 12th to 15th time since 2001 pre-season games have been called off due to weather. The last such occurrence was on March 21, 2018. Coach Hong noted, "Today, the starter Jung Hyun-woo, as well as other pitchers, need to throw as planned rather than sitting out, ensuring we head smoothly toward the pennant race."

Jung, the highly-touted rookie and first overall pick for Kiwoom, showcased his potential on this decisive day by pitching four innings and allowing only two runs (one earned), laying the foundation for his team’s victory. He previously managed to keep clean sheets through his first two pre-season games but faced his first earned run on this occasion.

During the game, Lotte initially took the lead with Kim Won-jung’s single off Jung Hyun-woo but Kiwoom rallied back, thanks to earlier contributions by their offense. The standout moment of the match occurred late when Yeo Dong-wook delivered the game-winning blow. With two outs and nobody on base, Yeo connected with Kim Won-jung's fastball, sending it soaring for the game-winning home run.

This victory was particularly sweet for Kiwoom, which concluded the pre-season with a record of 6 wins, 1 tie, and 3 losses, tying them with the defending champion KIA Tigers for third place. The win provided both confidence and momentum as they enter the regular season.

While Jung Hyun-woo noted the significance of this experience, stating, “Thanks to being allowed to play, I gained much experience throughout the pre-season and learned many things,” he also emphasized his commitment to continue honing his skills to perform well for the fans as the regular season approaches.

The atmosphere at Gocheok Sky Dome, with its capacity to host events regardless of weather conditions, contributed to the electric feel of the game. The matchup was regarded as both teams were serious about securing their final pre-season triumph with the stakes high as they prepared for the regular season. Kiwoom's unique advantage as the only KBO team utilizing a dome allowed them to sidestep weather-related disruptions entirely, resulting in teams and fans both expressing their appreciation for such reliable facilities.