‘Game-Winning Hit, Super Catch’: Hilliard Sweeps Daily MVP Honors in Korean Series Game 1, Giving kt wiz the Early Edge

[Financial News] Sam Hilliard, kt wiz’s foreign hitter and a “godsend” for the team, led the regular-season champions to seize the early edge with a stellar performance on both offense and defense in Game 1 of the Korean Series (KS, best-of-seven).
Hilliard started in center field and batted fourth against the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason Korean Series at Suwon kt wiz Park on the 3rd. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored. In recognition of his performance, Hilliard swept both the Daily (Game) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the “Potato Chip’s Pick for Best Hitting Form of the Day” award, given to the player who hits the game-winning hit.

Hilliard made his presence felt early in the game. In the top of the first, with no outs and a runner on first, he made a super catch, diving to snag a towering hit by Samsung’s Park Seung-kyu. It was a crucial defensive play that bailed out starting pitcher Davis Daniel at a moment when the ball getting past him could have cost the team all its early momentum.
Then, in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first, with one out and runners on first and third, Hilliard crushed a two-run, bases-clearing double through the left-center gap off Samsung starter Choi Won-tae to deliver the game-winning hit. It was a moment that showed how completely he had bounced back, adjusting his swing path with the strong backing of manager Lee Kang-cheol after struggling to adapt to the expanded ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) zone early in the season and even finding himself at risk of being released.


Hilliard’s value shone through even in the bottom of the sixth, with his team leading 6-0 and two outs. He mishit the ball and popped it high, but sprinted all-out toward first to leg out an infield single.
His grit as he ran with his teeth clenched quickly became a catalyst for victory. The very next batter, veteran Hyun-soo Kim, hit a two-run homer over the right-field wall—his 12th career postseason home run—to extend the lead to 8-0. Those insurance runs proved crucial as kt wiz held off Samsung’s fierce late rally to secure a narrow 8-7 win.
After the game, Hilliard said, “In big games, these small plays add up and determine the outcome,” adding, “I gave it my all, and I’m happy it led to a good result.” He continued, “We’ve been working toward winning the Korean Series since January, and today’s win brought us one step closer,” and vowed, “We’ll carry this momentum forward and make sure to win Game 2.”


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