USA captures Japan Cup title with 1-0 victory over Japan

Flowers Blooms

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN A storied international match up, the USA Softball Womens National Team was victorious once again over rival Japan with a 1-0 decision. Delayed due to cold weather and consistent rain showers, the title game was the fifth consecutive meeting of the two dominant softball nations with an outcome decided by one run. The win granted Team USA the tournament title after poor weather conditions shortened the tournaments double round robin schedule. The first meeting between each team was determined as the only games accounted for in the tournament standings.

The U.S. finished the tournament at 2-0 and completed the trip at 3-0 after its 4-0 win over China in an international friendly game later in the afternoon.

I was very pleased that we even got to play today with the weather,head coach Mike Candrea said. We are at that stage right now with our team that we are in the mist of training. This tournament was a good indication of where we are and obviously I am very happy with our results, but know we need a lot of work. Now it time to travel back, get ready for the tour and then on to Athens.

Scoring its one and only run in the top of the first, it was third baseman Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, CA) who started things off driving a hard line drive base hit down the right field line. Tairia Flowers (Tucson, AZ), who led the U.S. bats in the tournament hitting .667, then rocked a two out RBI single through the right side plating Bustos for the early advantage.

The Japanese saw its first runner on board in the third inning when shortstop Natasha Watley (Irvine, CA) committed a throwing error allowing Misako Ando to reach first base. The error wouldnt affect the U.S., however, as a pop fly from Yumi Iwabuchi transpired into a double play sending the game to the fourth with the 1-0 U.S. lead.

Going 2-for-3 on the night, Flowers opened the fourth inning with a single to the first baseman before Lisa Fernandez (Long Beach, CA) laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner. Looking for an insurance run, the U.S. bats continued to struggle as a strikeout and ground out closed the half inning.

With Jennie Finch (La Mirada, CA) taking the circle in the fourth, the Japanese threatened after a Yuki Sato single through the right side allowed the tying run on base. Followed by a sacrifice bunt, Sato moved to second but it was all Finch as she collected a strikeout to end the inning.

The Japanese continued to fight advancing a runner to third in the sixth inning, but again the U.S. defense stayed strong keeping the 1-0 lead.

With three outs remaining, the U.S. bullpen brought in pitching ace Fernandez to finish the game. A battle until the end, Japan spurred on a two out rally in the seventh after a walk, stolen base, and wild pitch allowed pinch runner Masumi Mishina to reach third base. It didnt phase the likes of Fernandez, however, as the two-time gold medal pitcher sealed the victory with a change up pitch for the strikeout to capture the win.

The U.S. pitching staff continued to baffle its opponents allowing just three hits in the game. Left handed pitcher Lori Harrigan (Las Vegas, NV) recorded the win as the staff combined for a 0.00 ERA throughout the tournament.

I really thought it was a good ball game for us,Candrea said. Obviously sitting around to see if we were going to play was tough, but we came out and scored a run early and relied on our pitching. Japan is a really good team and we knew that they were going to keep coming back at us. We got the key out when we needed it and we really feel good about the victory.

Taking home the hardware, Team USA placed first while Japan finished second at 1-1 and China third at 0-2. Flowers led all hitters going 4-for-6 for the tournament and received Most Valuable Player Tournament honors. Bustos was recognized with the Best Batteraward posting two home runs, four RBI, and six hits (.600).

Overall the U.S. outscored its opponents 17-2 in tournament play while hitting a team .317.

Up next the USA Women will continue monthly training until February 20 when they begin their Aiming for AthensPre-Olympic tour. The tour begins at the Palm Springs Classic on the 20th and consists of two segments- a college tour and grassroots tour- before heading to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

GAME 2 USA 4 China 0

In an international friendly match up, the U.S. defeated China 4-0 later in the afternoon. Pitcher Cat Osterman (Houston, TX) recorded the win tossing 3.2 innings with five strikeouts.

The Red, White and Blue put its first run on the board in the third when Jenny Topping (Whittier, CA) led the inning with a base hit through the left side. Leah OBrien-Amico (Chino Hills, CA) came in to pinch run and stole second before advancing to third on a fly out. A Kelly Kretschman (Indian Harbour Beach, FL) driving single up the middle then plated Amico for the 1-0 lead.

Home run power at the plate is what put the other three U.S. runs on the scoreboard as a Lovieanne Jung (Fountain Valley, CA) two run shot to left center pushed the lead to 3-0. Then later it was the hot bat of Bustos who rocked a towering solo home run to left center for the eventual 4-0 USA win.

The Chinese failed to put a run on the board leaving five runners stranded throughout the game. An opportunity in the fourth with runners at second and third was denied due to the efforts of south paw Osterman who struck out the last two batters.

Bustos led the U.S. arsenal going 3-for-4 while Jaime Clark (Tustin, CA) contributed two hits in the win.

Julie Eversgerd

ASA/USA Softball

Asst. Director of Communications

2801 N.E. 50th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73111

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USA captures Japan Cup title with 1-0 victory over Japan

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