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Masumi Mishina scored off a Rei Nishiyama single to lift Japan over Australia, 4-3, in 12 innings. Japan will face Team USA on Thursday for the title.
Australia is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal in Beijing, as it defeated Canada, 5-3, on Day 12. The Aussies will next face Japan, and that winner will play the U.S. for the championship.
Crystl Bustos blasted a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning -- which followed a Caitlin Lowe RBI single -- as the U.S. powered over Japan, 4-1. Pitcher Monica Abbott picked up the win.
With her bruising physique and pulverizing swing, she's been called softball's Babe Ruth -- with a braided ponytail. She's also got two Olympic gold medals and a heart that's just as golden.
As softball in Beijing winds down, so does the sport's place in the Games. Thursday's gold-medal game will signify the end - temporarily - of Olympic-level softball. The sport has 13 months to lobby for re-entry in 2016.
U.S. pitcher Jennie Finch threw a gem against Chinese-Taipei on Saturday, allowing a pair of hits and striking out six batters. Offensively, the U.S. pounded the ball en route to the 7-0 victory.
Japan has taken a huge step toward earning the No. 2 seed in the semifinals that start next week, as it defeated China, 3-0. China fell to 2-3 in round-robin play; Japan is now 4-1.
Play two games back-to-back? Not a problem for USA softball. The Americans deflated Canada, 8-1, in the conclusion to a game that was halted on Day 6. The U.S. has won 18 straight Olympic contests.
The U.S. softball team powered up early and often to beat Japan, 7-0, on Day 7 in Beijing. Jessica Mendoza led the slugfest with a pair of two-run homers, and pitcher Monica Abbott got it done in the circle.
Softball will not be part of the 2012 Olympics in London, which has fueled a global movement to introduce the sport into regions where it has never been. This even includes places like rural China.
The United States vs. Canada softball game has been suspended due to weather conditions and will be resumed on Day 7, after the U.S. game with Japan. Canada leads 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning.
China picked up its second win of the Olympics on Day 5, a 7-1 final over Venezuela. The host country pulled away in the fifth inning thanks to a three-run offensive output that put the game out of reach.
The United States remains perfect in the Beijing Games after defeating Australia, 3-0. Crystl Bustos smacked a two-run homer over the right-field fence in the sixth inning to preserve the victory.
Jennie Finch pitched five strong innings of no-hit ball, and her offense belted three home runs as the U.S. routed Venezuela, 11-0, in both teams' Beijing opener on Tuesday. The victory was the 15th straight for the Americans in the Olympics.
