Kiwoom Heroes infielder An Chi-hong, 36, delivered a crucial home run during a tight contest against the Samsung Lions. The dramatic blast occurred on the 25th at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome in a home game, securing the victory in the bottom of the eighth inning with Kiwoom ahead 3-2.
Game-Changing Moment
Facing the Lions’ closer in a high-stakes situation, An unleashed a powerful two-run homer off a 141 km/h straight fastball from the backup reliever. The ball rocketed toward center field, clearing the upper deck and electrifying the crowd. This marked his first home run of the season and his first since September 16 of the previous year against the KIA Tigers in Gwangju—a drought spanning 221 days.
Throughout the game, An showcased his bat speed. In the first inning, he lined a hit off the starter’s first pitch to the center fielder. After Kiwoom grabbed an early lead, he struck out in the fourth but rebounded by retiring three straight batters in the fifth, including a key center fielder runner, solidifying Kiwoom’s momentum.
Post-Game Reflections
An Chi-hong reflected on the homer afterward: “I felt great with that swing today in such a prime spot, but for a strong game, you channel that excitement into every at-bat. The bigger the moment, the more those opportunities arise, and that’s the best part.”
Kiwoom completed a dominant sweep of the series against the Lions, their top rivals. An added, “The pitchers worked tirelessly, so we needed to reward their efforts. To produce more of these moments, we must push harder and deliver for them—plenty of chances still await.”
He emphasized team focus: “Even in the biggest pressure spots, our hitters stay composed. Bringing good energy here means we’re poised for success.” Looking ahead, An noted, “I felt solid today despite some swings and misses. Building consistency at home keeps me motivated, and it leads to more growth overall.”
No Aftereffects, Full Power Return
Highlighting resilience, An stated, “Players bouncing back without lingering issues return at full strength—that’s key to our results.” He credited the homer for reigniting confidence: “Turning potential home runs into actual ones, even from tough spots, feels rewarding. It’s given me fresh resolve.”
On the sweep’s impact, he said, “We gained huge momentum and grew as a team. Staying sharp in critical at-bats without second-guessing ourselves led to those hits, and that’s how you seize the day.”
Turning home runs into reality remains An’s mindset: “Hitting the dome for a homer demands precise execution, but with daily effort, those breakthroughs happen. No matter the challenge, persistence pays off.”
