No. 1 Japan wins USA v Japan All-Star Softball Series with dramatic walk-off grand slam
YOKOHAMA, Japan — In front of over 10,600 fans, World’s No. 1 ranked Japan Women’s National Team defeated No. 2 USA 5-3 after a walk-off grand slam in the seventh inning. The victory solidified Japan as the winner of the three-game WBSC-sanctioned 2017 USA vs. Japan All-Star Series.
YOKOHAMA, Japan — In front of over 10,600 fans, World’s No. 1 ranked Japan Women’s National Team defeated No. 2 USA 5-3 after a walk-off grand slam in the seventh inning. The victory solidified Japan as the winner of the three-game WBSC-sanctioned 2017 USA vs. Japan All-Star Series.
After USA evened the series following a 5-4 victory in Game 2 at Shellcom Sendai, fans were treated to a glimpse of what could be the Gold Medal game come the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the world’s top two teams going head-to-head at Yokohama Stadium.
With both sides kept scoreless through the first frame, Japan struck first in the second inning after an RBI single by Yamato Fujita to left field to give them an early 1-0 lead.
USA evened up the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, following a lead-off home run by Valerie Arioto. Ally Carda then hit an RBI single to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead with one out.
USA extended their lead to 3-1 after Ali Aguilar led off the sixth frame with a solo shot to center field.
In the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded, Yu Yamamoto homered giving Japan the walk-off 5-3 win in the final game of the USA vs Japan All-Star Series.
“Sometimes the toughest three outs to get in a game are the last three,” said Head Coach Ken Eriksen. “Our team played well coming from behind and the pitching staff battled all day in an unfamiliar environment. Team USA is finding out a lot about ourselves and we are looking forward to 5 days of rest and recovery before heading to OKC.”
During the Series game in Yokohama, Japan Softball Association’s President Hiromi Tokuda and Vice President Taeko Utsugi met with WBSC Secretary General Low Beng Choo and Executive Vice President Dale McMann to finalise the main terms for the broadcasting and marketing rights for the 2018 WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba.
Up next for both Women’s National Teams is the WBSC-sanctioned World Cup of Softball XII, held at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, USA 5-9 July.
(left to right): JSA/WBSC Vice President Taeko Utsugi, JSA President Hiromi Tokuda, WBSC Executive Vice President Dale McMann, and WBSC Secretary General Low Beng Choo
