YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Amanda Chidester hit a game-ending, two-run single in the eighth inning, Monica Abbott struck out 13 and the United States beat Australia 2-1 to clinch a berth in the Olympic softball gold medal game.
Australia scored the first run off the Americans in the tournament when Jade Wall walked on eight pitches with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth.
Chidester then singled to score Haylie McCleney and Janie Reed. The top-ranked Americans have scored just six runs in four games.
They play Japan on Monday in a game that likely will only determine which team bats last in Tuesday's gold medal game.