The last two teams with perfect record in this Championship went head to head on Monday. Finally Japan beat the defending champion USA 3-1 and extended their winning streak to nine.

 

Neither of the two teams scored a run until the fourth inning which was highlighted by Aki Uenishi and Emi Naito's scoring. Aki Uenishi was hit by pitch, then took  second base on Emi Naito's single and moved to third on Eri Yamada's sacrifice bunt before running home. Afterwards, Sachiko Ito's RBI single drove Emi Naito home, giving Japan a 2-0 lead.

 

Ayumi Karino's RBI double sent Megu Hirose home and extended the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

 

Crystl Busto's drove in the lone run for USA with a double, helping Caitlin lowe score in the sixth.

 

USA starter Jennie Finch allowed two runs on two hits over four innings with two strikeouts. Jamie Southern closed the game with two strikeouts, two hits and one run.

 

Japanese starter Yukiko Ueno tossed a complete game again, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts.