Baseball Queen | Kim Ona Emerges as the Decisive Card for the Black Queens at a Critical Turning Point

On Channel A’s sports variety show Baseball Queen, Kim Ona steps forward as the decisive card capable of shaking up the Black Queens at a critical juncture.

In Episode 12, airing Tuesday at 10 p.m., the Black Queens, riding an upward trend with a 4–2 overall record, face Quality Start, a team widely regarded as being packed with former national team players. The matchup marks their eighth official game of the season and is considered a major test against one of the strongest lineups yet.

‘Baseball Queen’. Photo by Channel A.

The opening innings unfold in a tense stalemate, with both teams locked in a 0–0 tie through the end of the first inning. The balance begins to tilt in the top of the second, as Quality Start initiates its seasoned brand of tactical baseball. Starting pitcher Jang Su-young issues consecutive walks, and defensive cracks appear with shortstop Joo Su-jin and second baseman Kim Ona absent from the field, allowing runs to slip through. Returning to the dugout after a tough inning, Jang admits, “Baseball is really difficult,” while commentator Park Jae-hong urges the team to put the damage behind them and focus on the runs still to come.

Amid the shaken atmosphere, captain Kim Ona finally appears on the field. Having just wrapped up her handball commentary duties, she joins the team mid-game, with coach Yoon Seok-min bluntly telling her, “No time to greet anyone. Start warming up right away.” Kim Ona reclaims her position at second base in the top of the third inning, immediately restoring stability to the infield. She encourages her teammate by saying, “Su-young, just pitch comfortably,” and adds ahead of her at-bat, “Since I joined late, I really want to repay the team with a hit.”

The momentum begins to shift following Kim Ona’s return. As the Black Queens mount a counterattack, ace player Shin So-jeong adds spark with a surprise stolen base, exploiting a brief lapse in the catcher’s focus. Her sudden change of position earns her the nickname “Phantom Thief So-jeong,” with Jung Yoo-in remarking that it felt like watching “a shadow clone technique.”

With Kim Ona and Shin So-jeong leading the charge, attention now turns to whether the Black Queens can secure a third consecutive victory against Quality Start, marking a pivotal turning point in their season.

Reported by News Culture [e-mail]