The medal round is set for the softball tournament at the Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020, following the conclusion of the 15-game opening round, which saw USA and Japan finish atop the standings.
The United States earned home-field advantage in the gold medal game thanks to a 2-1 win against the defending Olympic champions Japan, to open the final day of round-robin play.
Kelsey Stewart homered off Yamato Fujita in the bottom of the seventh to walk the game off for the US. After scoring in the first against starter Ally Carda and no hitting the US for five innings, the US rallied late to top Japan. Monica Abbott pitched a perfect top of the seventh to earn the win.
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"I was just trying to get comfortable," said Stewart about her final at-bat. "I was lucky that the ball was like a beach ball today; I had a good day. I was just going up there trying to get a single and just got a good piece of it. It was like something you dream about as a little kid. A home run at the Olympics, let alone a walk-off."
Fujita praised Stewart for the walk-off home run: "I had faced her at the 2018 World Cup. I knew she is a very good hitter. Unfortunately, I gave her a pretty good pitch to hit."
US head coach Ken Eriksen praised his starting pitcher: "Ally Carda has tremendous success against them. Ally was scheduled to pitch this game as soon as the national team was named."
Japan's head coach Reika Utsugi said she is expecting Cat Osterman to pitch for the US in the gold medal game: "We didn't have many chances to play against her, but we will review videos of the games."
Canada is heading to the bronze medal game with a 3-2 record after defeating Italy, 8-1 in six innings. Larissa Franklin had a 3-RBI game, after Canada had taken the lead on a solo home run by Jenn Gilbert off Greta Cecchetti. Erika Piancastelli batted in Italy's sole run in the tournament with a single off Danielle Lawrie. Lauren Regula earned the win for Canada.
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Canada's head coach Mark Smith spoke about the bronze-medal game prior to knowing whether they'd face Australia or Mexico: "There’s not a lot to learn to be honest with you...As far as preparing for the opposition, they know us as well as we know them."
Jenn Salling also commented on the bronze medal game: "Both Australia and Mexico are super versatile, super athletic. At the end of the day, we just need to continue to play Canada's softball. The one thing that I'm most proud of is our preparation to get here."
Shortstop Amanda Fama talked about Italy's expectations for the final game of their tournament: "Our biggest goal today was to score, and we did."
Mexico scored two runs in the second and two in the fourth to defeat Australia, 4-1, and earn a historic chance for an Olympic medal in their first participation in the Games. Anissa Urtez, Brittany Cervantes and Victoria Vidales all had two-hit games. Dallas Escobedo went the distance to earn the win, allowing only five hits, with one being a solo home run by Jade Wall.
Australia won't be playing for a medal the first time in an Olympic softball tournament.
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Australia's head coach Laing Harrow said he is sorry for his players: "I just really feel for them. We wanted to be playing tomorrow and have that opportunity. We've got quite a few girls who this is the last opportunity not just to play with each other, but to play for Australia. We want to thank them for everything they've done over the years."
Veteran Stacey Porter called it quits: "Yeah, that's it for me, it's a disappointing day for a few reasons. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Aussie Spirit (nickname of the Australia softball team), sad not to get the result and sad I won't lace up with them again."
Mexico's head coach Carlos Bernaldez praised his team's attitude: "I would like to highlight the perseverance and the will to do things well."
Escobedo is now focusing on the bronze medal game: "Tomorrow is just another day. We go out and compete how we can. We've got better every single outing we've had, so continue that train and hopping on."
