BUSAN, South Korea (Interstat) — The Shinsegae Landers’ offense erupted for a season-high 18 hits and 17 runs in a dominant 17-2 victory over the Lotte Giants on Friday night at a subdued Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium.

A crowd of 23,200 watched as the visiting Landers (5-1) dismantled the Giants (2-4) from the outset, scoring in six of the nine innings and turning the series opener into a lopsided affair that far exceeded pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of 5-3, and its ELO system gave Shinsegae a 53.9% probability to win. The Landers, installed as a 1.5-run favorite, shattered those expectations, while the combined 19 runs sailed over the over/under line of 9.0.

The most important part of the game was the Landers’ immediate and sustained offensive onslaught, which removed all doubt early. They scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings, but delivered knockout blows with a three-run second and a four-run third. This early barrage against the Lotte pitching staff set the tone for the entire evening and allowed starting pitcher Mitch White to operate with a massive cushion.

White (1-0) capitalized on the support, delivering seven strong innings to earn the win. He allowed two earned runs on six hits, walking one and striking out four. Reliever Park Si-hoo closed out the final two frames, allowing just one hit and striking out one.

The Landers’ attack was a collective effort, but shortstop Park Seong-han stood as the top star. He continued a torrid start to his season, going 4 for 5 with a walk, two doubles and four RBIs. Over his last five games, Park is 10 for 18 with eight RBIs, leading a Shinsegae lineup that appears to be one of the league’s most formidable.

Every Landers starter reached base at least once. Center fielder Choi Ji-hoon went 2 for 4 with a walk, a double, a rare inside-the-park home run in the third inning, and three RBIs. Left fielder Guillermo Heredia launched a solo homer in the fourth as part of a two-RBI night, and first baseman Ko Myeong-jun added a solo shot in the sixth, finishing with two RBIs. Third baseman Hong Dae-in, entering late, delivered a pinch-hit, two-RBI double in the ninth.

For the Giants, the night offered few positives. First baseman Han Dong-hui provided a bright spot with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double. Lotte scratched across single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, the latter coming on a fielding error by Shinsegae shortstop Park Seong-han that allowed Han Dong-hui to score.

Lotte starter Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1) was charged with the loss, unable to navigate the Landers’ relentless lineup. The Giants’ bullpen fared no better, as Shinsegae added two runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth to cement the blowout.

The victory extends Shinsegae’s strong early-season form. They have now won five of their first six games, averaging over nine runs per contest in their victories. The loss extends a rough patch for Lotte, which has dropped four of its last five games.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Busan on Saturday, April 4, for the second game of their three-game series. Shinsegae will look to secure the series win, while Lotte will aim for a swift rebound in front of its home fans. Following this series, the Landers return home to face the Hanwha Eagles for three games beginning Tuesday, April 7. The Giants will remain at Sajik Stadium to host the KT Wiz for a three-game set starting that same Tuesday.