Bottom of the ninth inning, one out with a runner on first. A single run allowed would have ended Korea's quarterfinal hopes. Captain Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) made a sliding catch on a line drive to right-center field, securing a crucial out. It was the moment that effectively clinched Korea's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal berth.
Korea defeated Australia 7-2 in their final Pool C game at Tokyo Dome on March 9. Korea needed to win by at least five runs while allowing no more than two runs to advance. The team beat those improbable odds to reach the WBC quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years since their runner-up finish in 2009.
Lee hit an RBI double in the top of the third inning, extending Korea's lead to 3-0. In the top of the ninth with Korea leading 6-2, Lee hit a ground ball to shortstop with one out and a runner on first, facing a potential game-ending double play. However, the ball deflected off the Australian pitcher's glove. Australian shortstop Jared Dale then threw wildly to second base, putting runners on first and third with one out. Ahn Hyun-min (KT Wiz) followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Korea's crucial seventh run.
Lee delivered the defensive highlight in the bottom of the ninth with Korea ahead 7-2. Under tiebreaker rules, allowing even one run would have eliminated Korea. Lee made a diving catch on Rixon Wingrove's line drive.
"I was lucky at the plate in the ninth inning, and on defense I had shifted to right-center field and the ball came right to me," Lee said in the mixed zone after the game. "It seems like luck has been working hard to help me."
Regarding the ninth-inning defensive play, Lee said, "From the moment the ball was hit, I only thought about catching it no matter what. The ball disappeared into the lights for a moment, but I was lucky and caught it."
Lee shared his candid thoughts about the pressure-filled game with its demanding scenarios.
"Our team knew we had to score seven runs anyway," he said. "When we scored the seventh run in the top of the ninth and went out for defense in the bottom of the inning—that was the most nervous I've ever been playing baseball."
He added, "Our victory is thanks to everyone on Team Korea, and luck came because everyone including the fans and media united with one heart."
Korea now heads to Miami for the quarterfinals. Lee expressed excitement about traveling to the United States with his teammates.
"I'm really happy that our players get to experience the Major League system with the charter flight, and that can be motivating," Lee said. "I hope this experience leads to more Major Leaguers coming from Korean baseball."