Melbourne extends KBO dominance with fourth straight win over league teams

[OSEN=Ulsan, Cho Hyung-rae Reporter] Melbourne Aces showcased the fierceness of Australian baseball. The Melbourne Aces have set out to dominate KBO League teams. On this day, over 1,000 spectators filled Ulsan, and the game took place amid great interest.

Melbourne secured a 5-1 victory against the Lotte Giants in the '2025 Ulsan-KBO Fall League' held at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium on the 25th. In the matchup between Group A leader Melbourne (5 wins, 2 losses) and Group B leader Lotte (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), Melbourne emerged victorious, marking their record at 6 wins, 2 losses. Lotte's record became 6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses.

Melbourne, which had already defeated NC, Goyang, and KIA, extended their dominance over KBO League teams by defeating Lotte. Their record against KBO League teams stands at 4 wins, 1 loss. Lotte's offense remained silent on the day and self-destructed with 10 bases on balls.

Lotte's starting lineup included Park Chan-hyung (second baseman), Lee Tae-kyung (third baseman), Son Ho-young (center fielder), Kim Dong-hyun (designated hitter), Jo Se-jin (left fielder), Jo Min-young (right fielder), Kim Dong-gyu (first baseman), Son Seong-bin (catcher), and Kim Se-min (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Kim Gi-jun.

Melbourne's starting players were Aaron Whitefield (center fielder), Jared Dale (shortstop), Chris Burke (left fielder), Ulrich Boyarski (right fielder), Eom Hyung-chan (catcher), Luke Naylor (first baseman), Chen Chen-lin (designated hitter), and Will Hardy (first baseman). The starting pitcher was Guo Yu-cheng.

Melbourne scored the first run in the top of the first inning. With Whitefield on a walk and Dale hitting a right-field single, they loaded the bases with no outs. Burke then drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center field. The No. 4 batter Boyarski grounded into a 3-unta-1-out double play, preventing additional runs.

However, in the top of the second inning with two outs and a runner on first, Chen Chen-lin hit a timely triple and Hardy followed with a left-field timely hit, adding two runs to extend the lead to 3-0.

Lotte created their best scoring opportunity of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Jo Min-young hitting a double and Son Seong-bin adding a left-field single to put runners on first and third with one out. However, Kim Se-min grounded into a double play, failing to score.

Lotte finally scored in the bottom of the sixth inning. Park Chan-hyung and Lee Tae-kyung drew consecutive walks to put runners on first and second with no outs. After Son Ho-young struck out, a double steal advanced the runners to second and third with one out. Kim Dong-hyun then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field, narrowing the gap to 3-1.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, with Kim Dong-gyu on a walk and Son Seong-bin hitting an infield single to put runners on first and second with one out, Kim Se-min's well-hit ball was caught by Melbourne's second baseman in a jumping catch, leading to a line drive followed by a double play.

Melbourne drove in the final runs in the top of the ninth inning, loading the bases with one out. The No. 4 batter Boyarski then hit a two-run timely hit to left-center field, extending the lead to 5-1. Lotte ultimately failed to close the four-run gap.

Melbourne Aces Defeat Lotte Giants 5-1 in Ulsan-KBO Fall League