[SPOTV News = Reporter Park Seung-hwan] "I left everything out there."
No Kyung-eun rescued South Korea from a precarious spot on March 9 at Tokyo Dome. In the final Group C game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic against Australia, he threw 28 pitches over two innings, allowed one hit, struck out one and kept a clean sheet to steady the Korean bullpen.
Korea needed a win by at least five runs while allowing no more than two to advance to the quarterfinals, so Son Ju-young opened the game. Son escaped trouble in the first inning and kept Australia off the board, but he reported discomfort before the bottom of the second.
Manager Ryu Ji-hyun went out to check on Son and quickly realized Son couldn’t continue because of left-elbow discomfort. The change came suddenly — and No was the man Ryu turned to. He hadn't had much time to warm up, but he delivered when it mattered most.
No gave up a leadoff hit at the start of the inning but erased the threat with a double play and kept Australia scoreless. With Son exiting so early, No stayed in to pitch the third as well.
He induced Tim Kennelly into a groundout to second base, struck No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana out looking, and retired Curtis Mead to finish two scoreless innings. The 41-year-old veteran bailed Korea out of a jam.
Korea went on to beat Australia 7-2 and clinch a quarterfinal berth for the first time in 17 years, making No’s performance even more memorable. After the game, Ryu singled him out and publicly expressed his thanks.
Asked about the outing, No said he had been told to be ready and had been preparing from the start. He joked with Son before the game, "I’m behind you, so pitch comfortably," and laughed that he didn’t expect Son to last only one inning. "I just gave everything I had," he said.
Ryu's decision to bring No in was calculated, and one reason was how quickly No gets loose. "Coach Kim Kwang-sam knows I warm up fast, and I told them I’d go in," No explained.
He smiled while reflecting on the result: "I think it went well. The pressure eased because this showed I belong on the national team. I feel like I proved why I’m here and that I helped the team, even a little. The burden has lightened."
Next up is the United States for Korea, where they'll face either the Dominican Republic or Venezuela — both loaded with MLB stars. "We told each other, ‘Let’s enjoy it in the U.S.,’ but we’ll have to dig deep," No said. "It’s single elimination from here, so we’ll prepare to win one game at a time."
No added, "I wasn’t originally on the national team, so I’m relieved we advanced from the final roster. The fans have shown so much support; I felt I needed to repay them, and reaching the quarters is my way of doing that. I’m honored and grateful. I think I’ll spend a meaningful birthday on the plane," he said with a broad smile.
