After three years without the event, the Annual Ko-Yon Games returned this year on October 28, beginning with a baseball game at Jamsil Stadium. Korea University (KU) started the game strong, scoring two points in the first of nine innings. However, the tables quickly turned following Yonsei University (YU)’s performance in the fifth and sixth innings, during which they scored three and five points respectively. The game ended 2-8 in favor of YU.

KU’s most notable player of the match for many was Kim Yoo-seong (’21, Sports Education), who managed to strike out many YU players in the first four innings of the game, before being replaced later on. Other notable players were Yoo Jeong-taek (’22, Sports Education) and Ahn Jae-yeon (’22, Sports Education), both of whom completed runs for KU, scoring the university its only points.

Despite switching the pitcher and multiple batters, KU did not manage to bring back their first inning success later in the game. During the eight inning, YU’s first three batters were all taken out one after the other, resulting in YU not being able to gain any more points. KU had the opportunity to turn things around and score, especially after KU’s second batter Heo Jin (’20, Sports Education) walked to first base. Despite KU succeeding in getting player Park Sae-hoon (’22, Sports Education) up to second base, they did not manage to follow through and failed to score any points.

The most controversial part of the game, however, was when YU batter Kim Geon-woong (’19, Sports Education) was hit by pitch. At the time of the incident, YU players occupied both the second and third bases, but following the player being hit by pitch, they were not allowed to complete their run. The resulting altercation involving players from both teams was quickly resolved, and gameplay resumed to normal.

To the sound of the KU Cheerleaders’ chants and student cheers, spirits remained high all the way to the end of the match. Even after YU got a leg-up in the fifth inning, leading 3-2, KU students continued to cheer throughout the break and the sixth inning, during which YU managed to score five additional points, which will turn out to be their last. The last three innings all passed with no points being won by either team, despite concentrated effort on KU’s part to change their batting lineup and switch out their pitcher. Regardless, even as the game wrapped up, KU students continued to sing and chant, full of hope for the games ahead.