Austin Dean hit his 41st home run of the season on October 6, 2026, lifting the LG Twins past the NC Dinos at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul and halting the team’s eight-game losing slide.
Three-Run Blast Sparks First-Inning Rally
Playing as the starting third-hitter and designated hitter in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home fixture, Dean connected in the bottom of the first inning with runners on first and second and no outs. Facing NC Dinos pitcher Choi Sung-young on a full count, Dean drove a 137.4 km/h straight pitch down the middle 138.1 meters over the left-center field wall. The drive left his bat at an 181.2 km/h exit velocity with a 21.3-degree launch angle, staking the Twins to an early 3-0 lead. The victory ended an eight-game skid that had dropped the club into fourth place in the standings.
Chasing the Home Run Title
In his fourth season with the LG Twins, Dean is enjoying a career-best campaign. His 41st home run leaves him one shy of Kia Tigers leader Kim Do-young, who holds 42 home runs, and level with KT Wiz player Sam Hilliard in the league home run race. Moon Bo-kyung added to the scoring in the same frame with a solo shot over the right-center field fence off a 138.5 km/h fastball from Choi, marking Moon’s 10th home run of the year over a distance of 132.2 meters.
Final Home Game at Historic Jamsil Venue
The matchup marked the LG Twins’ final home game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the current season before the franchise transitions to a new facility, putting an end to decades of history at the venue. Despite a subsequent game scheduled against the Doosan Bears on October 7 as an away fixture, a capacity crowd of 23,750 turned out for the home finale. The sellout attendance represented the 46th full-house crowd at the ballpark during the season.
Worth a look
