Miyo Yamada punched out an RBI single in the eighth inning to lift Japan 1-0 over host Australia in the Olympic softball tourney Wednesday, giving Japan a sweep of all the medalists from the Atlanta Olympics four years ago.
Japan, looking to improve on its fourth place finish in Atlanta, won its fourth straight game in the eight-team, round-robin preliminary tourney at the Sydney Games, while 1996 bronze medalist Australia was saddled with its first loss.
Yamada came to bat with the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning and punched a single through the hole between third and short to bring home the go-ahead run.
Juri Takayama, on in relief of starter for Mariko Masubuchi, made the run stand as Japan won its second extra-inning game in as many days.
Japan edged the United States 2-1 in 11 innings Tuesday.
Masubuchi and Takayama combined on a three-hitter over eight innings while fanning eight.