International & NPF

Despite last inning heroics USA falls to Japan at General Tire World Cup

OKLAHOMA CITY – Japan jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to down the United States 6-3 Sunday evening in the championship game of the General Tire World Cup of Softball the Amateur Softball Association ASA of America and USA Softball announced today. The win marked Japan’s first at the event since 2005.

“The effort, hustle and fight from our girls was incredible,” said USA Head Coach Ken Eriksen. “We still have some adjustments to make, but I’m excited for our future. Fortunately for us we got to play two games against Japan and get that experience that we needed.”

Leadoff hitter Misato Kawano reached on a base hit and scored on a single from Y ukiyo Mine to give Japan the early 1-0 lead after a half inning. The Japanese added four runs in the top of the second to extend the lead to 5-0.

Back-to-back one-out singles from Natsuko Ono and Nozomi Shimasaki gave Japan two runners aboard. The pair came around to score on a single from Yuka Ighiguchi. Prior to Ighiguchi’s s single, Kawano walked and then a single from Yuki Hayaghi stretched the lead to 5-0 after two.

Team USA got one run back in the bottom of the second and another in the third.

Read more … Despite last inning heroics USA falls to Japan at General Tire World Cup.

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