# ‘First Save of the Season → Return to Finish’ Hong Geon-hee “I Felt the Thrill for the First Time in a Long Time” Jeong Cheol-won, whose sluggish performance continued, was sent to the 2nd district on the 24th. Hong Geon-hee (31, Doosan Bears) took the mound with the bases loaded and no outs, protecting the team's victory and earning his first save of the season. It was a good pitch that changed Doosan’s bullpen plan. Doosan sent Jeong Cheol-won to the second team ahead of the home game against the NC Dinos in professional baseball held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 24th. Now Hong Geon-hee locks the back door of Doosan. In the home game against NC on the 23rd, Hong Geon-hee appeared in the top of the 9th inning with the bases loaded and no outs, with Doosan leading 4-2. When closer Jeong Cheol-won allowed three batters in a row to get on base, putting the bases loaded with no outs, manager Seung-yeop Lee made a decision. **[파워볼게임](https://www.powerballsite.com)** Hong Geon-hee caught the first batter, Kim Joo-won, with a fly ball to center field and traded the out count for 1 point. After passing Park Min-woo on an intentional walk, he grounded Kwon Hee-dong to first base to catch a runner running home, and Son A-seop ended the game with a missed swing strikeout. Doosan overcame the crisis in the top of the 9th inning to win 4-3, and Hong Geon-hee earned the save with no hits and no runs in one inning. One run was an earned run by Jeong Cheol-won, who left the mound with a runner on base. After the game, Hong Geon-hee said through the club, "I prepared without slowing down from the middle of the game to the end. “It wasn’t a sudden appearance” he said. “My pitching balance and physical condition have been good recently, so I trusted the pitch and threw with confidence. “ I think it led to a good result as the balls were put in play,” he said. He continued, “The situation with bases loaded and no outs was stressful, but I tried to stay calm because I had experience. He said, “I am proud to have kept my team victorious,” and added, “I didn’t even think about it being my first save of the season.” Hong Geon-hee started the season as the finisher last year, but gave up the finisher position to [Jeong Cheol-won](https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/casinositewiki/post505132895/) in August. After the end of the 2023 season, signing a 2+2 year free agent (FA) contract with Doosan for up to 2.45 billion won, Hong Geon-hee said, "If we have internal competition, the team's strength will also increase. I will aim for a comeback at the end." The first closing pitcher selected by Doosan for the 2024 season was Jeong Cheol-won. However, Jeong Cheol-won struggled with 1 win, 1 loss, 6 saves, and an ERA of 5.91. His on-base allowable per inning (WHIP) is 2.06, which is the worst figure among the closing pitchers of the 10 teams. As Jeong Cheol-won's poor performance continued, Coach Lee Seung-yeop notified him of his transfer to the second division on the 24th. Hong Geon-hee, who had experience as a closing pitcher, was able to make a quick decision thanks to regaining his pitching position. Hong Geon-hee suffered an injury to his right thumb during spring camp and was unable to make the opening entry (March 23rd), and was only promoted to the first team on April 11th. Hong Geon-hee, who has appeared on the mound 6 times this season, only allowed a run in his first game (2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning against the Hanwha Eagles on April 11), but in the next 5 games, he has been on a scoreless streak of 4⅓ consecutive innings. His season performance is 1 save and an ERA of 1.69. Hong Geon-hee said, "Because of the injury, my pace was slow. One of my roles is to lead young pitchers, and I felt very sorry for the team. Today (23rd), I showed a good performance and fulfilled my role." “I will do my best,” he promised. The thrill of ending a close game with a team victory also stimulates Hong Geon-hee. [Hong Geon-hee](https://www.reddit.com/user/powerballsite7/comments/1cmtntu/first_asian_quarter_mvp_in_history/) said, "The moment I got on the mound, the fans gave me a really big cheer. It was a thrill I haven't felt in a long time," and "I was thrilled and energized. I want to repay those cheers."