![South Korea’s Moon Bo-kyung celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the first inning against the Czech Republic in Group C play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. [Photo by Yonhap]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/03/05/20260305224619299209.jpg)
South Korea, managed by Ryu Ji-hyun, beat the Czech Republic 11-4 on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan in its first Group C game.
The victory gave South Korea its first WBC opening-game win since 2009, ending a 17-year drought in tournament openers.
South Korea is aiming for a quarterfinal berth after failing to advance past the group stage in each of the last three tournaments (2013, 2017 and 2023).
Starter So Hyeong-jun (KT Wiz) threw three scoreless innings, allowing four hits. Noh Kyeong-eun (SSG Landers), Jeong Woo-ju (Hanwha Eagles), Park Young-hyun (KT), Jo Byeong-hyeon (SSG), Kim Young-gyu (NC Dinos) and Yoo Young-chan (LG Twins) each worked one inning in relief.
South Korea powered the win with four home runs. Seven of the nine starters had hits, with Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers) and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers) the only exceptions.
Moon Bo-kyung (LG) went 2 for 3 with five RBIs, highlighted by a grand slam. Korean American major leaguer Shea Whitcomb (Houston Astros) hit two homers and drove in three runs, going 2 for 4. Jermai Jones (Detroit Tigers) also homered. Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) went 2 for 4.
South Korea will play Japan at 7 p.m. on March 7 at the same venue in its second group game.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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