Superstars Miu Goto, Yukiko Ueno blank Italy as Japan secure spot in the playoffs

Japan complete today’s doubleheader with a 3-0 win over Italy and closed the Opening Round with a 4-1 record, behind a combined shutout from Miu Goto and Yukiko Ueno, who allowed only three hits in the game. Japan must wait the result of the final game between Italy and Philippines to know their position in the standings. 

Goto got the ball for Japan, and tossed five innings of two-hit ball, while striking out six opponents. She earned her first win of the tournament. In relief, Ueno tossed two innings with two strikeouts and one hit.

Japan scored once in three consecutive innings from the second to the third. In the second, Hotaru Tsukamoto scored on a double steal situation to put the first run on the scoreboard. 

In the second, Ayane Nakagawa and Kanna Kudo ledoff the inning with a pair of hits, followed by a sacrifice fly from Hitomi Kawabata to left field to plate Nakagawa. In the fourth, Haruka Sumitani doubled to right field to knock in Japan’s third and last run of the game.

For Italy, the losing pitcher was Alice Nicolini who tossed 2.2 innings giving up five hits and two runs.