Defending champions United States retained their title with a 3-0 victory over Japan at the XI Women's World Championship on Tuesday night. The Americans lost 3-1 to Japan in a playoff game yesterday.

 

The game was epitomized in the two-homer sixth inning. Jessica Mendoza hit the go-ahead two run homer, which was followed by slugger Crystl Bustos' solo against Japan's ace starter Yukiko Ueno. Its Bustos' second homer today, with the first being off Australia's reliever Tanya Harding, which came out a happy warm-up for her batting in the final.

 

Japan's star batter Satoko Mabuchi went 0-for-3 against American starter Catherine Osterman and she failed also to make a hit in yesterday's encounter against USA. The best the Japanese could do was first base only. And the only hit Japan got was from Emi Naito in the fourth.

 

American left-handed starter Catherine Osterman pitched two sharp complete games today for a doubleheader. She struck out 10 in the bronze medal game against Australia in the afternoon and she struck out 14 in the grand final against Japan.

 

Japan's starter Yukiko Ueno tossed six innings, giving up three runs and six hits. Mariko Masubuchi closed for a scoreless seventh with two hits.  

 

Australia won the third place and China finished fourth in the 16-team championship. The four teams and Canada are qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

 

 

 

 

Issued by: News Service, Organizing Committee