Rikkyo University infielder Yuichi Tabata hit a two-run homer in a five-run seventh inning Thursday as Japan beat the United States 8-3 to complete a sweep of the five-game Japan-U.S. collegiate baseball championship.
Japan, which had already secured its first title in three years, broke a 3-3 tie on a wild pitch before Tabata highlighted the big inning with his two-out homer to center at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo.
Yasuhiro Ichiba of Meiji University worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn his second win as Japan swept the annual five-game series for the first time since 1999.
Tokai University outfielder Shoitsu Daimatsu was named the most valuable player of the series.
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