Ulsan Whales Tie Long Beach Coast 6-6 in KBO Fall League

The Ulsan Whales played to a 6-6 tie against the American independent league joint team Long Beach Coast on October 16 at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium, maintaining an undefeated record in the KBO Fall League. The cross-border exhibition fixture featured a pre-game gift exchange between coaches before descending into a back-and-forth offensive battle.

Pre-Game Gift Exchange at Munsu Baseball Stadium

Before the first pitch, Ulsan coach Chang Won-jin and Long Beach Coast coach Don Wakamatsu met on the field for a formal token exchange. Ulsan presented visiting players with club-branded caps, support scarves, logo balls, and official “Orca” mascot keychains. In return, Wakamatsu handed over Long Beach Coast logo balls and commemorative bats to foster international baseball ties.

“I am glad we could have a meaningful exchange time with the Long Beach Coast,” Chang said. “Although we play baseball in different countries, it is very significant that we can share our hearts and build friendship through the common denominator of baseball.”

Back-and-Forth Scoring Paces High-Offense Draw

Long Beach Coast struck first, building a 2-0 lead before Ulsan answered in the bottom of the second inning. Singles by Ye Jin-won and a right-field double by Noh Kang-min set up a one-out, second-and-third situation that resulted in an RBI groundout by Kim Sung-gyun. Ulsan capitalized on a wobbling pitching staff in the fourth, tying the game on a bases-loaded walk by Shin Jun-woo before Kim Si-wan drove a three-run clearing double to flip the score to 5-2.

After Long Beach Coast knotted the game at 5-5, Ulsan reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Park Moon-soon drew a walk and came home when Kim Si-wan laced a left-field double aided by a fielding miscue, making it 6-5. Noh Kang-min paced the Ulsan batting order with three hits on the day.

Bullpen Holds Before Ninth-Inning Stalemate

Ulsan relief pitchers mounted strong middle frames. Shim Jae-min struck out the side in order in the top of the sixth. Tryout candidate Oh Do-young—a graduate of Gunsan Commercial High School and the Shanghai Orcas—took the mound in the seventh, followed by Cho Jun-hyuk in the eighth. Both retired all three batters they faced.

The win slipped away in the top of the ninth when reliever Yu Do issued a bases-loaded walk that allowed the tying run to score. The contest ended in a 6-6 deadlock.

Next Match Against Lotte Giants

The Ulsan Whales were scheduled to face the Lotte Giants at 4:00 p.m. on the 17th at Munsu Baseball Stadium for their third game of the fall league.

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