CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
U.S. left fielder Jessica Mendoza robbed Canada's Sasha Olson of a home run in bottom of the fourth yesterday.
A team wearing red, white and blue celebrated on the Fourth of July, but it wasn't the United States. Japan spoils
the day for USABy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe Japanese national softball team used a five-run second inning rally to upset Team USA 6-1 yesterday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on the first day of the U.S. Cup.
Sachiko Ito launched a three-run home run and Hiroko Sakai earned a complete-game victory as Japan handed the Americans their first loss in U.S. Cup play.
"It's hard to give a team like Japan six runs and try to play catch up," U.S. coach Mike Candrea said.
"They're a very solid team, they do all the little things very well and today they swung the bats and hit the ball where it was pitched."
U.S starter Michele Smith, a three-time MVP of the Japan League, took the loss. She walked four batters in the bottom of the first inning and was relieved by Amanda Freed after giving up singles to the first three hitters in the second.
After the U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Japan, wearing white uniforms with blue and red trim, scored on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half of the first and cashed in with five runs in the second, highlighted by Ito's blast over the left-field fence.
"Our concentration was very good today," Ito said through an interpreter.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Lovie Jung of the U.S. scored as Canada catcher Lesley McPherson had trouble handling the throw to the plate.
Sakai settled down after a shaky first inning to handcuff Team USA the rest of the way. She struck out three and faced just one batter over the minimum over the final six innings.
Sakai also benefited from some nifty defensive plays by infielder Emi Naito, who made a diving stop of a Laura Berg grounder in the third and snagged a line drive by Leah O'Brien-Amico to start a double play in the fifth.
"We were making contact and hitting it hard, but right at people," said U.S. shortstop Natasha Watley.
"Tomorrow, we just want to be more aggressive and be in attack mode."
The U.S will try to rebound tonight against Australia. Game time is 7 p.m.
"It's a little bit of a gut check," Candrea said. "Good athletes obviously hate to lose and they need to turn that energy into positive energy.
"The big thing is you can't hang your head. We have Australia (tonight) and we have to come out, re-establish ourselves and get on a roll."
The U.S. opened the tournament with a 7-0 win over Canada earlier in the day.
Team USA got the leadoff hitter on base in each of the first four innings and scored each time.
U.S. left fielder Jessica Mendoza turned in the defensive play of the day, making a leaping catch at the fence to rob Sasha Olson of a homer in the fourth inning.
Pitchers Lori Harrigan, Freed and Jennie Finch combined to retire the last 13 Canadian batters in order.
Game 1
USA 7, Canada 0
USA 112 100 2 -- 7 11 1 Canada 000 000 0 -- 0 4 1 Lori Harrigan, Amanda Freed (6), Jennie Finch (7) and Stacey Nuveman; Lauren Bay, Alex Boily (4) and Lesley McPherson. W--Harrigan. L--Bay.
Leading hitters -- USA: Laura Berg 2-4, Teri Goldberg 1-1, 2 RBIs. Canada: Angela Lichty 2b; Alison Bradley 2b.
Game 2
Australia 8, China 4 (8 innings)
Australia 000 022 04 -- 8 11 1 China 102 010 00 -- 4 8 3 Felicity Witt, Kelly Hardie (6) and Danica White; Li Qi, Zhang Yanqing (5), Zhang Lixia (7) and Guo Jia. W--Hardie. L--Lixia.
Leading hitters--Australia: Natalie Ward 2-4, 2 RBIs, 3b; Peta Edebone 3-4, 3 RBIs; Ali Denne solo HR. China: Zhang Chunfang 3-4, RBI; Tao Hua 3-4, RBI.
Game 3
Japan 6, USA 1
USA 100 000 0 -- 1 3 1 Japan 150 000 x -- 6 9 0 Michelle Smith, Amanda Freed (2) and Stacey Nuveman. Hiroko Sakai and Noriko Yamaji. W--Sakai. L--Smith.
Leading hitters--Japan: Kazue Ito 2-2, RBI; Sachiko Ito HR, 3 RBIs.
Game 4
The result of yesterday's final game, between Canada and Australia, was not available at press time.
