Sixth-inning error opens door for Seoul victory over Hagerstown
The crucial inning began the way many do: with a seemingly nondescript play.
In this case, it was a strikeout by Seoul, Korea’s catcher Geong-Yul Kim that was in the dirt and slipped out in front of the plate. Hagerstown, Md., catcher Corey Jamison scooped it up and sent the throw to first base for what should have been the first out of the inning.
Instead, the throw was wide and low of first baseman Josh Black. It skidded toward second and Kim was safe at first.
By the time the sixth inning ended, Korea had scored six times, sent nine batters to the plate and also got a pinch-hit grand slam to defeat Hagerstown, 10-3, in the Pony League World Series at Lew Hays Pony Field Monday night.
The win sends Seoul, the Asia-Pacific champion, into a Tuesday game against either Youngstown, Ohio, the Host Area champion, or a rematch with Hagerstown. Youngstown and Hagerstown play at 10 a.m., Tuesday. The winner gets Seoul.
Seoul was holding a 2-1 lead heading to the sixth on a solo home run by Hui-Chan Jung in the first inning and an RBI single by Tae-Yang Han in the second.
But Hagerstown had the momentum after right fielder Cam Moats sent a laser over the left-field fence to cut the lead in half.
But the errant catcher’s throw started Hagerstown’s unraveling. First baseman Woo-In Choi singled, and Kim sacrificed the two runners one base.
Hagerstown pitcher Izaiah Dillinger hit the next batter, then walked in two runs before being removed for Parker Martin. Woong-Chan Lee pinch-hit for starting pitcher Seon-Ik Chang and hit a grand slam to make it 8-1.
”That was his first home run for us,” said Seoul manager Chul-Hong Park.
It was the 45th grand slam in Pony League World Series history.
”It’s a routine play and we didn’t make it,” said Hagerstown manager Steve Berger. “I think it was the first time all year from all the games we’ve had. I felt real good with Izaiah on the mound, doing real well. Then, we couldn’t hit our spots and then we brought in the second guy and we couldn’t hit our spots. By then, it was 8-1.”
Seoul stretched the lead to 10-1 with two runs in the top of the seventh and Hagerstown mounted a small rally when Tyler Crain hit a two-run homer to make it 10-3.
”Hagerstown is a good team,” said Park, “but I have confidence in our team.”