USA staged an epic comeback to beat Japan, 4-3, in front of a raucous crowd at ZoZo Marine Stadium in Chiba. The Americans head into the finals, while Japan will need an extra effort against Canada to have a chance for a rematch. If Japan beats Canada, USA will receive an automatic bid for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. If Canada beats Japan, both teams will battle for a spot in the 2020 Olympics. 

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Relief pitcher Rachel Garcia picked the win and was clutch in the final run to win the game.

In the top of the first inning, Eri Yamada led off with a single and with two outs, Yu Yamamoto got to USA starter Monica Abbott with a two-run homer to right.

Next inning, Misato Kawano singled and Natsugo Sugama followed with a walk. With two outs, Kawano attempted to score on a base hit by Yamada but Haylie McCleney hosed out at home. Japan argued the call by home plate umpire Lance Brown.

After Abbott gave up a single to Yuka Ichiguchi and a double to Saki Yamazaki, USA went to their bullpen. Kelly Barnhill came in to retire Yamamoto, who popped to second base but left for Keilani Ricketts just after. Mana Atsumi grounded to second and Ichiguchi scored the third run of the game.

USA made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third when Aubree Munro led off with a line drive home run to left that represented only the second hit against Yamato Fujita. Kelsey Stewart followed with a base hit and Fujita walked McCleney. Janie Reed bunted runners to second and third and Fujita walked Ali Aguilar to load the bases. USA Captain Valerie Arioto grounded to first base and Natsuko Sugama overthrew home and Stewart scored. 

Stewart made it a brand new ball game as she led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to left to tie the game.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Yamamoto and Atsumi hit back to back singles. With runners at the corners, Rachel Garcia took over for Ricketts and struck out Fujita to end the threat.

Garcia was clutch at the plate coming up with the game-winning RBI in the eighth to score the runner from third.

USA will face the winner of the Bronze medal game between Japan and Canada.

Courtesy of WBSC