Tokyo: Given plenty of early run support, South Korean pitchers were far from spectacular in their team's win over Czechia to start the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on Thursday. Starter So Hyeong-jun provided three shutout innings while scattering four hits at Tokyo Dome, but the six relievers that followed had inconsistent performances in an 11-4 victory.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the lopsided score, aided by four home runs from South Korea's lineup, masked some of the pitching issues that could be exposed against stronger opponents later in the tournament. Prior to the game, manager Ryu Ji-hyun stated he would limit So to under 50 pitches. During the first round, pitchers throwing at least 50 pitches in a game must rest for four days, while those throwing 30 or more pitches must sit out for one day.

So completed his three innings in 42 pitches, making him available for Saturday's game against Japan since South Korea has a day off on Friday. So struggled to find his usual form, allowing a hit in each inning and narrowly escaping a bases-loaded situation in the second inning after Moon Bo-gyeong's grand slam provided a 4-0 lead.

Despite being known for inducing groundballs in the Korea Baseball Organization, So managed only two groundouts, both resulting in double plays. "I had to really focus on how to get after those hitters in different situations," So commented post-game. "At least we got the win here and I am glad we will be able to build on this positive momentum."

Ryu had announced right-hander Jeong Woo-joo would follow So, but Noh Kyung-eun, the oldest South Korean player at 41, took the mound in the fourth inning. Noh allowed two singles but prevented the Czechs from scoring.

Jeong started the fifth inning but hit Max Prejda with his first pitch. He struck out the next batter but gave up a single and a three-run home run to Terrin Vavra, reducing South Korea's lead to 6-3. Jeong's inside fastball at 92.6 mph was hit over the right-center field wall.

Shay Whitcomb's two-run homer, his second of the day, extended South Korea's lead to 8-3. Relievers Park Yeong-hyun, Jo Byeong-hyeon, and Kim Young-kyu each delivered a scoreless inning, though Park and Jo showed decreased velocity with no signs of improvement in the short term.

With an 11-3 lead, You Yeong-chan pitched the ninth inning but struggled, walking the first batter and allowing a single before a sacrifice fly scored Czechia's fourth run. You's difficulties in exhibition games suggest he may be unreliable in upcoming matches against Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Australia.

South Korea narrowly edged Czechia in hit totals, 10-9, with South Korean pitchers allowing base runners in seven of the nine innings.