21/07/2021 2 Minute Read

Softball opens Olympic Games sports programme as Japan defeat Australia in five innings

Japan used three homers to get the first win of the Olympic Games.

In a historic day for the sport of softball, Japan and Australia officially opened the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games sports programme in Fukushima with Game 1 of the softball competition. Japan used three home runs to beat Australia, 8-1 in five innings, to begin their defense of the gold medal.

In the top of the first inning Australia scored the first run of the Olympics with the ball not leaving the infield. Michelle Cox reached first with a full-count infield hit to leadoff the inning, and then Ueno loaded the bases with a walk and a hit by pitch. Facing Chelsea Forkin, the Japanese starter tried to pitch inside but hit the batter again with a rise ball, allowing Fox to score the first run. However, Ueno limited the damage to only one run, striking out Tarni Stepto and forcing Jade Wall to a grounder to end the inning.

Japan tied the game in their first offensive inning. After two quick outs, Minori Naito drew a walk, and advanced on a passed ball, before Yu Yamamoto singled to right field to produce the tying run.

In the third and fourth innings Australia’s defense committed a pair of critical errors that cost them at least three runs. In the third inning, Nodoka Harada reached on an error by Stacey MvcManus, and Minori Naito rocketed Tokyo 2020’s first home run over the center field fence to put Japan 3-1 on top.

One inning later, Yamatyo Fujita hit a no-doubter to left field with Saki Yamazaki on board (who had also reached by error). Later in the inning, Eri Yamada scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Nodoka Harada, that put the game 6-1.

In the top of the fifth, youngster Miu Goto (who pitched Japan to silver medal in the U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup 2019) replaced Ueno in the circle, and immediately she tested her nerves, loading the bases with two outs. But Australia couldn’t capitalise in the situation, since Goto struck out Forkin to escape the threat unscathed.

And in the bottom of the fifth the game came to an end with only one swing. Naito walked to leadoff the inning and slugger Yu Yamamoto launched Japan’s third home run of the afternoon to finish the game, 8-1, by the run ahead rule.

Ueno was the winner of the game, giving up 2 hits and 1 run in 4.1 innings, while striking out 7. Goto pitched 0.2 frames with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. The loss was charged to Kaia Parnaby, who pitched 3 innings and allowed 4 hits and 6 runs, only two of them earned.