KT Wiz 12, SSG Landers 7 – Park Young-hyun Leads the Way | June 25 Review

Game Summary

The KT Wiz secured a decisive victory over the SSG Landers on June 25, 2026, winning 12-7 in a high-scoring affair at their home venue. The Wiz’s explosive offensive output, coupled with solid pitching performances from their bullpen, proved too much for the Landers to overcome. Despite SSG’s respectable 15-hit performance, KT’s 16 hits and superior run production ultimately determined the outcome. The defeat marked another difficult result for the struggling Landers, who managed only five runs across the eighth and ninth innings but could not generate sufficient offensive momentum earlier in the contest.

Pitching Performance

KT Wiz starter So Hyung-jun provided a solid foundation for the eventual winners, allowing five runs on eleven hits over four innings of work. While his performance was respectable given the offensive pressure, it was the Wiz bullpen that truly excelled. Lee Sang-dong earned a hold with one inning of scoreless baseball, while Sugimoto delivered another hold with a hitless frame that included one strikeout. Woo Gyou-min pitched a scoreless eighth inning, setting the stage for Park Young-hyun’s crucial appearance. Park’s strong 1⅔-inning outing secured the victory, surrendering no runs on two hits with a strikeout.

The SSG Landers’ pitching staff struggled considerably, particularly in critical moments. Starter Beneziano departed after 4⅔ innings, allowing six earned runs on ten hits—a disappointing performance that set an unfavorable tone. Jeon Young-joon provided brief relief with 1⅓ innings of shutout baseball, but the damage had already been inflicted. The situation deteriorated dramatically in the eighth inning when the Landers’ bullpen collapsed. Ro Kyung-eun recorded only one-third of an inning while surrendering two earned runs, while Kim Min and Kim Do-hyun combined to give up three additional runs in the eighth, effectively deciding the contest.

Offensive Highlights

The KT Wiz’s offense was the defining factor in this contest, with multiple contributors generating runs at critical junctures. Third baseman Hillyard emerged as the star performer, delivering three hits in five at-bats while driving in six runs. His offensive prowess included an 18th home run of the season—a three-run blast in the fourth inning off Beneziano—demonstrating his dangerous power stroke. Hillyard’s multi-faceted contributions made him the game’s most impactful player. Heo Kyung-min added three hits in five attempts with three RBIs, while Kim Sang-su registered three hits as well, combining with others to create sustained offensive pressure throughout the evening.

SSG’s batters showed resilience and quality at-bats but ultimately fell short in converting opportunities into runs. Park Sung-han led the Landers with four hits in five at-bats, while Choi Jung registered three hits in four at-bats and drove in two runs. Eredia contributed two hits and two RBIs despite registering an error that proved costly in the eighth inning. Jung Jun-jae recorded one hit while driving in a run, though the collective effort was insufficient against KT’s superior output and timely hitting.

Key Play of the Game

The decisive moment arrived in the eighth inning when Hillyard delivered a go-ahead two-base hit with runners in scoring position and one out. This clutch, two-run double into left-center field extended KT’s lead to a decisive margin that SSG could not overcome. The play exemplified Hillyard’s value in high-leverage situations and essentially ended any realistic comeback hopes for the Landers. Additionally, the eighth inning proved catastrophic for SSG’s pitching staff, as five runs were surrendered during this single frame—including two runs that crossed the plate as a result of Hillyard’s extra-base hit. This breakdown in relief pitching proved the critical juncture that transformed a competitive ballgame into a convincing Wiz victory.

Standings Impact

The victory solidifies KT Wiz’s position in the upper echelon of the KBO standings, improving their record to 43 wins, 1 draw, and 29 losses, maintaining their hold on second place. The Wiz continue their strong 2026 campaign with impressive consistency and offensive firepower. Conversely, SSG Landers’ defeat further entrenches their ninth-place standing with a record now at 30 wins, 2 draws, and 42 losses. The differential between the two clubs—with KT commanding 13 more wins than SSG—underscores the significant gap in performance between the top-tier and struggling franchises in the KBO’s current competitive landscape.