JAPAN WINS JAPAN CUP OVER U.S.

Yukiko Ueno pitched a four-hit shutout with eight strikeouts as Japan won its third straight game against the United States in a 3-0 victory to claim its first title at the Japan Cup softball tournament on Sunday in Yokohama, Japan.

The Athens Olympic gold medal winning U.S. team has lost three straight against Japan, the Olympic bronze medalist, after its stunning defeat at the inaugural World Cup of Softball earlier this month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA).

Japan took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning when lead off Rei Nishiyama reached after being hit by a pitch from pitcher Jennie Finch.  Emi Naito then connected on a chopper infield base hit before Mikiko Yamada sacrificed moving two runners to scoring position.  A squeeze bunt to U.S. first baseman Kellie Wilkerson proved to be successful when Nishiyama was ruled safe at home putting runners on the corners with a 1-0 lead.  Japan then added a security run after a line drive base hit down the right field line from Sachiko Ito scored Naito for the 2-0 advantage.

After issuing a lead off walk to Japan’s Masumi Yoshida, the U.S. called on Cat Osterman from the bullpen.  Japan quickly reacted, however, laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance to second before a passed ball suddenly had Yoshida at third.  A single over Osterman’s head to centerfield plated Japan’s third run scoring Yoshida for the 3-0 lead.

Japan finished the competition with a 4-0 record while the U.S. team dropped to 2-2.  Both teams meet again August 3-4 in Sendai, Japan for a three-game series.

In a playoff for third place, China defeated Australia 2-0 and finished with 1-3 records.

Source: Japan Times, USA Softball, and Softball Australia