MAKUHARI: Kelsey Stewart drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning as the United States beat Japan 7-6 in the final of the women’s world softball championship on Sunday.

Stewart’s single down the third base line scored the runner from third as the defending champions rallied with three runs in the tenth off Japan starter Yukiko Ueno. Aubree Monroe and Michelle Moultrie also drove in runs in the tenth.

The tournament doubles as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo. The US secured their spot in the Olympics earlier on Sunday when Japan beat Canada 3-0.

Ueno also went the distance in the win over Canada, striking out seven while giving up four hits and no walks.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2018