The defending champion United States twice came from behind in extra innings to beat Japan 7-6 and win the softball world championship on Sunday night.
Japan appeared to hold a commanding lead after Yamato Fujita's second home run of the night, a two-run shot in the 10th, but the Americans battled back for three runs in the home half, ending a heroic effort from Japan ace Yukiko Ueno.
Ueno, who pitched a shutout earlier in the day to lead Japan to a 3-0 win over Canada and a spot in the final went the distance in the championship game, suffering her first loss of the tournament.