Olympics Softball: USA and Japan reach Gold Medal Game

Semi-Final 1: Japan – USA 1-4 (9)

USA 000 000 004  4 6 0
JPN 000 000 001  1 3 0

Box score
Recap on USA Softball

In the first semi-final at the Softball tournament in Beijing Team USA defeated Japan 4-1 in nine innings to reach the Gold Medal Game on Thursday. Japan had to go to the Bronze Medal Game in Wednesday afternoon to clinch a berth too.

Both teams exchanged zeros for the first eight innings, before Caitlin Lowe singled home Natasha Watley in the top of the ninth to break up the scoreless tie. After a walk to Jessica Mendoza, Crystl Bustos widened the gap with a three-run homerun. Japan cut the deficit in the bottom of the frame through a RBI single by Sachiko Ito, but could not rally for more.

Each team had to start the eighth and ninth inning with runners on second due to the ISF international tiebreaker rule. Neither squad was able to bring a run home in the eighth.

Monica Abbott (W 3-0) allowed one unearned run on three hits and a walk in eight-plus innings. She struck out eleven to pick up win number three. Cat Osterman closed it out in the ninth. Yukiko Ueno (L 3-1) gave up six hits, four runs (3 ER) and two base on balls in nine innings, while striking out eight.

Semi-Final 2: Canada – Australia 3-5

AUS 011 102 0  5 5 2
CAN 003 000 0  3 4 2

Box score

Australia reached the Bronze Medal Game on Wednesday afternoon due to a 5-3 win against Canada in semi-final two. Kerry Wyborn had the decisive hit with a two-run single in the top of the sixth to bring Australia a 5-3 lead. Danielle Stewart had tied the match with a solo shot in the fourth.

The Aussies also had the better start into the contest, scoring twice till midway through the third on a homerun and sac fly, both induced by Sandy Lewis.  But Canada came back, rallying for three runs in the bottom of third. A bases loaded walk by Megan Timpf forced home the first run. Alison Bradley followed with a two-run single to put the maple leafs in front. But it was not enough.

Melanie Roche (AUS) pitched 2 2/3 innings before losing the strike zone. She allowed two hits, three runs and three walks. Tanya Harding (W 2-1) replaced her and picked up the win for 4 1/3 innings of relief. Lauren Regula Bay (L 2-3) gave up five hits, five runs (4 ER) and five bb in seven innings. She struck out nine.

Bronze Medal Game: Japan – Australia 4-3 (12)

AUS 100 000 100 010  3  7 2
JPN 000 200 000 011  4 11 1

Box score

After twelve thrilling innings Japan joined Team USA in the finals by winning the Bronze Medal Game on Wednesday afternoon. Rei Nishiyama decided the match with a RBI single in the bottom of the twelfth to lead Japan to a 4-3 win against Australia.

It was an impressive performance from both teams, as this was already their second game of the day, after playing the semi-finals in the morning. Japan had taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run shot by Megu Hirose. However Kerry Wyborn forced extra innings with her two-out homerun in the top of the seventh.

Both teams couldn’t score till the eleventh frame, despite starting each period in overtime with runners on second due to the ISF tiebreaker rule. The Aussies broke the 2-2 tie through Natalie Ward’s RBI single. But Japan came right back, answering with a RBI single by Satoko Mabuchi, setting the stage for the final in the twelfth. They loaded the bases with one out and Nishiyama came through to end a long day for the Asian team.

Yukiko Ueno (W 4-1) probably needs to ice her arm for a couple of days after going the distance for a second time on Wednesday. She allowed seven hits, three runs (2 ER) and two walks in twelve innings, while striking out seven. She already went nine innings against Team USA in the morning bringing her total to 21 for the day.

Justin Smethurst (AUS) started for Australia and gave up two runs on five hits in five innings. Tanya Harding (L 2-2) relieved in the bottom of the sixth, allowing six hits, two unearned runs and three bb in 6 1/3 innings of relief. She also appeared for the second time this day, after going 4 1/3 innings against Canada.

Schedule:
Thursday, August 21:
18:30 Final: USA – Japan