NC gold medalist Kim Joo-won hits two doubles in first at-bat back from injury

After leading South Korea’s baseball team to a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, big shortstop Kim Joo-won (NC Dinos) continued his hot hitting with his team.

Kim started at shortstop, batting eighth, against the Hanwha Eagles in the 2023 KBO League at NC Park in Changwon on Sept. 9.

He had returned home the day before and was still feeling tired from the Asian Games, but he had to play immediately due to the team’s recent slide to fifth place.

Although he barely had time to breathe before switching from his national team jersey to the NC jersey, Kim lived up to the expectations of coach Kang Myung-hwa from the first game.

In the bottom of the second inning, with NC trailing 0-3, Kim batted first with runners on first and second, and hit a huge two-run double to left-center field off Hanwha starter Ricardo Sanchez.

Kim’s single gave NC a 2-3 lead and a chance to turn the game around.

Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha Eagles), who leads the league with 31 home runs this season, also started the game.

After returning from the Asian Games and trailing Choi Jung (29 home runs-SSG Landers) by two, Noh batted third in the lineup.

In his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, Noh took a cool swing at NC starter Shin Min-hyuk, but unfortunately struck out. 슬롯