Korea University (KU) faced a challenging start to the 2023 Ko-Yon Games, grappling with a disappointing 4-6 defeat in the official baseball match against Yonsei University (YU). The game occurred on September 8, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at the Mockdong Baseball Stadium. YU seized an early advantage in the game, securing two runs each in the second, fifth, and sixth innings. This strong start put KU on the back foot, and they struggled to regain control throughout the match.

The game's first breakthrough came in the second inning when YU's Lee Dongjun managed to hit a crucial triple against KU's pitcher, Jeong Won-jin ('23, Physical Education). This early lead set the tone for the game, with YU in the driver's seat.

The initial innings saw a rapid progression, with both teams demonstrating solid performances from their pitchers and fielders. KU and YU's offense were stymied, resulting in a mostly scoreless game for the first four innings. However, the tempo of the game changed notably in the latter half. Both teams allowed more ball pitches and started scoring points. KU managed to narrow the gap by scoring two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, courtesy of Oh Do-eun and Kim Engju. Despite their efforts, KU couldn't catch up with YU, who capitalized on multiple doubles, maintaining a four-point lead.

The most thrilling moment of the game came in the ninth inning when KU attempted a comeback. In the bottom of the ninth inning, following Kim Jun-yeop's lead, Yoo Jae-yeon and Park Geon-woo each scored one run with the bases loaded, creating an opportunity for a tie game. However, their final attempts were unsuccessful, and the game concluded with a final score of 4-6 in YU's favor.

The game featured some standout players, with Jeong Won-jin leading the way by maintaining an impressive pitch-to-strike ratio of 0.632 before being substituted. This performance overshadowed that of YU's Kang Min Gu, who was considered KU's primary concern. In addition, KU's relief pitcher Jung Jihun also delivered an excellent performance. He applied relentless pressure on the opposing pitchers with his distinctive sidearm throws, making a significant impact on the game.

While KU couldn't avenge last year's baseball loss, this year's KU team's performance showcased significant improvement. With fewer errors and an enhanced offense, KU displayed resilience and determination throughout the match. An anonymous student summed up the sentiment by saying, “Even though we didn't win the game this year either, it was an exciting match until the end, with the score narrowing down, and we had hopes for a comeback.”