Japan successfully defended its World Women's Junior Softball Championship title in Nanjing, China Monday, beating the United States in extra innings, 3-2. The diminutive Yuri Masuyama, who stands just 1.5 meters tall, was the hero for Japan. She banged out three hits and drove in two runs, including the winner in the eighth inning.
With the game tied at 2-2 after seven innings, Masuyama hit the ball to the outfield to drive home Naoko Sakamoto with the winning run.
The Americans, who were also the runners-up at the last championship in 1999, had defeated Australia 7-0 earlier in the day to advance to the final. Australia placed third in the tournament, followed by China and Taiwan.