Japan's quest for a three-peat came to an end after falling 3-1 to Team USA in the final game at the International Softball Federation's VIII Junior Women's World Championship (U-19, fast pitch) in Enschede, the Netherlands. Japan took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning of the gold medal game. The U.S., however, scored twice in the bottom of the second, and starting pitcher Ashley Brignac and winner Megan Elliot combined to hold off the Japanese. Tomo Yasufuku took the loss for Japan, which finished the tournament 9-2.
