Softball: U.S. Beats Japan

The U.S. softball team scored 4 runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Japan, 4-1, in a semifinal game Wednesday morning.

Caitlin Lowe drove in the first run with a single. After a walk to Jessica Mendoza, Crystl Bustos hammered a three-run homer to give the United States a 4-0 lead.

Japan got a run back in the bottom of the ninth against Monica Abbott. Cat Osterman came on in relief and got the final three outs to send the U.S. team to its fourth gold medal game.