Daegu:Seoul After a commanding regular season, the KT Wiz saw their championship hopes dashed in the Korean Series, culminating in a decisive 12-1 defeat against the Samsung Lions in Game 5 on Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Wiz had secured the top seed with a 90-49-5 record, finishing eight games ahead of the Lions. Despite leading the regular season with impressive statistics, including a .286 batting average and a 4.14 ERA, the Wiz struggled to maintain their form in the finals.

The series began with a narrow victory for the Wiz in Suwon but quickly turned as they lost the following four games. Their performance in Daegu was particularly disappointing, with the team scoring only seven runs across three games. The pitching staff, which had been a strength, faltered with a 6.00 ERA and numerous walks, including a particularly challenging outing for Logan Allen in Game 4.

Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul acknowledged his strategic missteps, noting missed opportunities in crucial moments. The team's inability to capitalize on early leads and defensive errors further compounded their struggles.

The loss marked a stark contrast to the regular season success where the team had ended on a 10-game winning streak, highlighting the challenges of translating regular season dominance into postseason victory.