Australia came from behind to defeat Japan, 6-5, in eight innings in an intense softball game at Rosedale Park on Sunday. In wet and gloomy conditions under the floodlights nearing midnight, Nick Shailes tied the game with a clutch two-out single in the seventh, while Joshua McGovern plated the game-winning run with a triple to left field.
Shailes gave Australia an early lead in the first, with an RBI single, and later scored on a passed ball. However, Japan made it a one-run game in the bottom of the first, when shortstop Ryoyu Une scored on a passed ball. And one inning later, Japan took the lead with a pair of runs, on a one-run hit by Yusuke Sakuraba and a passed ball.
The Japanese squad added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Taiyo Kataoka. But in the top of the seventh Callum Beashel and Shailes hit back to back two-out RBI singles to tie the game in dramatic fashion. Marshall Kronk hit another single, but Beashell was called out at home plate.
In the top of the eighth, Joshua McGovern tripled in the game winning run, and Marshal Kronk closed the game. Kronk was the winning pitcher tossing seven innings in relief, giving up five hits and two runs, while striking out seven.
Australia remain unbeaten in Group B, while Japan is now 1-1 in the standings.
