International Softball Series: No. 1 Japan tops No. 2 USA 2-0 in extra inning battle in Sendai

SENDAI, Japan – It took extra innings to determine the outcome in Game 2 of the Japan vs. United States international softball series.  With the game tied 0-0 through seven-innings of regulation play, the Women’s National Team of Japan was able to push across two runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull off a 2-0 shutout win over the U.S..

With the international tiebreaker in effect, Mana Atsumi started at second for Japan and advanced to third on a sac bunt.  A sac fly to Michelle Moultrie in center plated the run for Japan and Misato Kawano followed with a triple to prompt a pitching change for the U.S. With pitcher Ally Carda re-entering the game in the circle, Nozomi Nagasaki doubled to left field to add an insurance run to their lead.

Yamato Fujita earned the win, entering the game in relief of Hamamura in the final two innings.  Fujita picked up four strikeouts, while keeping the U.S. offense hitless. Delanie Gourley suffered the loss for the U.S., issuing one strikeout, one hit and one run in two innings pitched.

With the series 2-0 in favor of Japan, first pitch of the final showdown between the two softball powerhouses is set for 2 p.m. (local time) tomorrow in Sendai, Japan.