SPORTS BRIEFS

BASEBALL

Oh gets two strikeouts in debut game against Pirates

Saint Louis Cardinals’ Oh Seung-hwan had a successful debut on Monday in the season opening match for the Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Oh went to the mound in the seventh inning when the Cardinals were behind by 0-3 and gave out two base on balls while grabbing two strikeouts without conceding any runs-scored. Oh was unable to card any hold or save as the team lost. However, as a reliever who specialized in closing in Korea and Japan, Oh proved to the Cardinals coaching staff that he’s worthy of his paycheck.

The first Pirates batter that Oh went up against was Matt Joyce. Throwing cutters at around 93 miles per hour, his first three pitches did not hit the strike zone. However, Oh had his first strike in the big league during his fourth pitch with a fastball. Oh eventually allowed Joyce a walk.

His first strike out came against Pirates third baseman David Freese when Oh made Freese swing and miss with his slider. He wrapped up the inning without giving any points to the Pirates.

ICE HOCKEY

South Korea beats Brits in 2nd round of group games

South Korean women’s national ice hockey team grabbed its second win in the second round of 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division Two Group A after defeating Britain 1-0 on Sunday.

South Korea’s solo goal came in the early second period when forward Ko Hye-in netted the puck during a power play. Shin So-jung, who was selected as the best player of the game, defended the South Korean side goal by blocking all 21 shot attempts by the British team. Sunday’s win over Britain is the first in the history of South Korean women’s hockey.

South Korea also edged the North Korean women’s hockey team in the first round on Saturday 4-1.

South Korean women will take on Poland tonight in the third round. Poland defeated Slovania 9-2 in the first round and North Korea 9-4 in the second round.

BY CHOI HYUNG-JO