USA Softball advances to gold-medal game in extra innings thriller

USA Softball remains unbeaten in Tokyo, narrowly defeating Australia 2-1 in extra innings. The team’s win over Australia secured the U.S. a place in Tuesday’s gold-medal game.

Team USA was down 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth, desperately in need of a run, when Amanda Chidester stepped up to the plate. Chidester delivered a two-run walk-off single to secure the U.S. a 2-1 win.

Monica Abbott had another stellar performance for the United States, pitching a 13-strikeout three-hitter to lead the team past Australia.

Team USA will face Japan, the host country, for the gold medal. The game will be a re-match of the 2008 Olympic final, when Japan upset the U.S. to claim the last gold medal before softball was removed from subsequent Olympic games.