SYDNEY -- Seasoned veteran Reika Utsugi provided the power and youngster Mariko Masubuchi the pitching on Monday as Japan edged Australia 1-0 to reach the championship final of the Sydney Olympic softball competition.
Japan extended its winning streak to eight games in the eight-team tournament and pulled within one victory of the gold medal after finishing fourth at the 1996 Atlanta Games where softball made its debut as a medal sport.
Utsugi, the 37-year-old veteran who once captained China's world champion team, rocketed a 3-1 pitch from Australian starter Tanya Harding over the left-field fence in the top of the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie and give Masubuchi the only run she would need.
Masubuchi, the only collegiate player on Japan's roster, struck out 10 and held the Australians to a lone single with an effective mix of rising fastballs and off-speed pitches to earn Japan a place Tuesday's championship game against the U.S., which booked its place later in the day.
She also extended her shutout streak to 15 innings after two starts and one relief appearance in the Olympic tournament.
"Before the game, I was told by the manager (Taeko Utsugi) to feel the joy of pitching in such a big game. I fully trust my teammates and that never changed throughout the game," Masubuchi said.
The 20-year-old junior at Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education retired six straight batters before issuing a leadoff walk to Natalie Titcume in the third.
Two outs later, Sally McCreedy singled for Australia's only hit of the game before Fiona Hanes grounded out to end the inning.
In the next frame, Utsugi belted her second homer of tournament.
After giving up the blast to Utsugi, Harding regrouped to strike out seven over the final three innings to match Masubuchi with 10 strikeouts.