Cheongju Segwang High School has lifted the championship trophy for the first time at the 81st Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament.
Segwang High School defeated Gyeongbuk High School 6-2 in the final held today (July 12) at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul to claim the title.
This marks the second time in school history that Segwang High School has won a national tournament, ending a 44-year wait since their victory at the 1982 Golden Lion Flag tournament, which was led by the legendary pitcher Song Jin-woo (formerly of the Hanwha Eagles).
Gyeongbuk High School, which holds the second-most titles in the tournament with eight wins—trailing only Gyeongnam High School with nine—was held back by Segwang's pitching and finished as the runner-up.
Segwang High School took an early lead in the first inning with an RBI single to left field by Seo Jeong-hwi. They added three more runs in the second inning after loading the bases with three walks, followed by a sacrifice fly from Hwang Dong-min and a two-RBI single to right field by Kim Woo-jin.
Trailing 4-0, Gyeongbuk High School managed to score two runs in the fifth inning thanks to a double to left-center by Jo Chae-wan and a single to left field by Choi Woo-jun.
However, their momentum was halted when they hit into a double play at third base during the subsequent scoring opportunity.
Segwang High School sealed the victory in the top of the ninth inning, scoring two additional runs on a center-field single by Lee Sang-jun and a right-field single by pinch hitter Hwang Jae-yoon.
Park Sang-min, who came on in relief in the fifth inning and induced a crucial double play, pitched 4 and 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing only three hits, earning the win that secured the championship.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Segwang High School second baseman Seo Jeong-hwi.
Masan Yongma High School shortstop Noh Min-hyuk swept five individual awards: the batting title (0.643 batting average, 9 hits in 14 at-bats), RBI title (15), stolen base title (8), home run title (2), and the most runs scored title (12).
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