Sports Briefs

BASEBALL

Giants’ Lee gets on base
during 3 exhibition games

Lee Hak-joo of the San Francisco Giants succeeded in getting on base in three consecutive games during the Cactus League exhibitions in Arizona. In the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, Lee got to first base on four balls. Lee recorded two hits in the previous two exhibition games. His batting average for the preseason stands at .400 with two hits in five at-bats.

Lee went into the game as a shortstop in the eighth inning and went to the batter’s plate against Dodgers pitcher Logan Bawcom with the bases empty. Lee got to base with balls but was unable to record a steal or make it home. The Dodgers won the game 5 to 2.

Lee signed a minor league contract with the Giants before the season. Although it won’t be easy for him to earn a spot on the Big League roster, Lee is trying to prove his worth during these early exhibition games.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Angels Infielder Choi Ji-man was substituted in against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning but struck out and recorded no hits in one at-bat.

WKBL

Yang Ji-hee gets her first regular season MVP award

Yang Ji-hee of Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae became the regular season MVP of 2015-16 Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL) yesterday. During the award ceremony that took place at 63 City Convention Center Grand Ballroom Yeouido Island, Seoul, the Woori Bank center received 36 votes out of 93 to win the title for the first time in her career.

Yang transferred to Woori Bank in 2010 after playing for Shinsegae Coolcat, the predecessor of Bucheon KEB Hana Bank, since 2003. She made significant contributions to Woori Bank’s four consecutive regular season titles from 2013 to 2016. She played in all 35 games for Woori Bank this season, averaging 31 minutes 47 seconds, 10.31 points and 6.06 rebounds per game.

“I thought I would be listed in the best five but I didn’t expect the MVP,” said Yang after receiving her award. “But now that I was honored with the MVP title, I feel obliged to work harder.”

As Yang and Woori Bank have already guaranteed a spot in the WKBL finals, they go into the playoffs to win one more WKBL Championship title in addition to the three titles they already hold.

The Coach of the Year award went to Yang’s head coach Wi Sung-woo, who won the honor for the fourth consecutive years.

In the meantime, Chelsey Lee of Bucheon KEB Hana Bank clinched three titles including the Rookie of the Year award.

The WKBL playoff begins on March 10 with Hana Bank taking on the Cheongju KB Stars in Bucheon.

By Choi Hyung-jo