Sungnam High Decorates Opening of Golden Lion with Called Game

By the very last minute, you can`t tell who wins and loses in the Gold Lion.

The 57th Golden Lion, which is co-hosted by The Dong A Ilbo and the Korea Baseball Association, got off to an exciting start yesterday, which is one of the four national high school baseball championships. It will last for nine days.

Sungnam High School romped Goori Inchang High. Sungnam scored 16 on 10 hits and 9 walks, while its opponent made only 8 runs. Thus, the game ended up in a called game. It was Sungnam`s first win at a national championship.

Sungnam started the first inning with a two-run shot of Park Byung-ho. In the second, however, Inchang scored four, taking back the lead.

In the bottom third, Kim Hyun-jung helped Sungnam regain the lead with his grand slam to the left.

Then, Park Byung-ho`s excellent running got Sungnam one more score, and a wild pitch called in Park Ka-ram, giving the 9-4 lead to Sungnam.

Among others, Kim Hyun-jung and Park Byung-ho contributed most. Sungnam`s starter Park Sang-jin threw 6 2/3 and allowed five runs on seven hits.

Inchang also got called out in the 56th by Chunahn Bookil High School, which won the championship last year.

But Inchang fans would not leave the ballpark even after the game, and cheered for Inchang players` dedicated play.

Prior to the game, all participating high school players got together and promised to play fair.