USA Softball Upset by Japan at the World Championships - ISF women

Mon Sep 4 09:06:08 EDT 2006

Received: 9/4/06 7:56:30 AM 
From:  "Holly Krivokapich" <hollyk(at)softball.org> 

Subject:  USA Softball Upset by Japan at the World Championships

Beijing, China---Ina battle of undefeated teams, Japanupset the
USA3-1, to advance to the gold medal game at the ISF Women’s
WorldChampionship. The loss is the first for the USAin a World
Championship since 1998 when it lost, 2-1, to Australia in 12innings
in the second round of the playoffs. The U.S. will now have to
win two gameson Tuesday if they are to capture their sixth consecutive
World title.  

Looking for a quick start against Japan ace Yukiko UenoUSA’s
Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.) led offwith a single to left field
and Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.walked to begin an early rally.
With one out, Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.) hit a deep
flyball that looked to be over the head of the leftfielder but
Satoko Mabuchi madea great catch to shut down the rally.

Japan got their first baserunner of the gamein the bottom of
the third when U.S.starter Jennie Finch (La Mirada Calif.) hit
Sachiko Ito to leadoff the inning. On the next play U.S.third
baseman Andrea Duran (Salem Calif.) turned an attemptedsacrifice
bunt by Masumi Mishina into a double play to clear the bases.

Ueno seemed to be in a groove as sheretired Bustos, Nuveman and
Duran in order in the top of the fourth inning tobring her team
back to the plate. 

The bottom of the fourth inning startedthe same way as the third
with Finch hitting the lead off batter. This time Japan chose
toswing away rather than use the sacrifice bunt and it worked
as shortstop EmiNaito singled through the left side to move Aki
Venishi to second base.

With two runners on base Japan went backto the sacrifice as Eri
Yamada executed a perfect bunt to move both runnersinto scoring
position. A groundout by Mabuchi broke a scoreless tie as Venishiscampered
home for the first run of the game. With two outs Japan kept
thepressure on as Sachiko Ito singled to left field to score
Naito for a 2-0 lead.

The U.S.was unable to respond in the top of the fifth inning
as Ueno retired the sideto keep the momentum in favor of Japan.

In the bottom of the fifth inning the U.S. went to the bullpen
in favor of JamieSouthern (Clovis, Calif.who had success against
Japanduring the 2005 Japan Cup. This time around Japan was better
prepared and cameout swinging. Megu Hirose led off the inning
with a double to center field andmoved to third on a sacrifice
bunt by Emi Inui. A single by Ayumi Karino addedan insurance
run as Hirose scored for a 3-0 lead.

Down to their last six outs, the U.S. bats camealive in the fifth
to cut the lead to 3-1. Lowe reached on an error by Naito tolead
off the inning and scored on a two out double by Bustos. With
momentum swingingin favor of the U.S.Nuveman laced a single to
center field that looked to score Bustos but aperfect throw from
center fielder Hirose nailed her at the plate to end theinning.

Finch was saddled with the loss to drop to1-1 at these championships
after allowing two runs on two hits. She also hittwo batters
and struck out two. Southern allowed a run on two hits in threeinnings
of relief work. Ueno improved to 4-0 after holding the U.S. to
justone unearned run on three hits while fanning seven.  

“We had some opportunities early inthe game that we didn’t cash
in on. In the first inning, if that ball ofBustos would have
cleared left field it could have been a differentscenario,” said
head coach Mike Candrea. “Right now we have to bounceback strong
tomorrow and be ready to play. This thing will be won tomorrow
nottoday.” 

The Red, White and Blue will meet Australia (7-3)for the bronze
medal game Tues. at 2:00 am CT, with the loser taking bronze.The
winner of that game will face Japan (9-0) at 6:00 am CT for theChampionship
game. 

Notes:

*The loss to Japanends a 20 game win streak in ISF World Championship
competition for the United StatesTheir last loss came in the
second round of the playoffs to Australia (2-1)at the 1998 ISF
World Championships. The team went on to capture theChampionship
with a 1-0 win over Australia. 

*Entering the game Yukiko Ueno had allowedonly one unearned run
in 22.3 innings of work at the 2006 ISF WorldChampionship.

*The USA is now 104-10 in WorldChampionship competition since
1965.

*Yukiko Ueno has now defeated the USA a total offour times in
the last 14 months. (Once at the 2005 World Cup, twice at theJapan
Cup and at the 2006 World Championship.)

Holly Krivokapich

Assistant Director of Communications

ASA/USA Softball

405-425-3431

www.asasoftball.comwww.usasoftball.com 

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