Softball Olympic Updates: USA Shut Out by Japan in Gold-Medal Game
7/27/2021 10:25:00 AM | Softball, Olympics
• Tokyo Olympics Site | U-M Olympics Coverage
Tuesday, July 27
Japan 2, USA 0 (Gold-medal game)
Michigan softball alumna Amanda Chidester became the first player in program history to claim an Olympic medal, earning silver today (Tuesday, July 27) as the United States fell to Japan, 2-0, in the gold-medal game at Yokohama Stadium. It was Team USA's first loss of the 2020 Tokyo Games -- softball's first appearance in the Olympics in 13 years.
Chidester, who produced a pair of game-winning hits in opening-round play, went 0-for-3 in the gold-medal contest but was robbed in the sixth inning when, with runners on first and second, her hot shot to third ricocheted off the Japanese third baseman and right into the glove of the shortstop, who completed the double play to second base to end the inning -- and Team USA's last great chance to score.
Japan outhit Team USA, 8-3, and manufactured its runs on two-out singles in the fourth and fifth innings. Japanese ace Yukiko Ueno struck out five while allowing two hits and two walks through six innings. Ally Carda took the loss for the United States, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 2.2 innings.
The United States has now claimed three gold medals and two silver in five appearances in the Olympic Games, dating back to 1996. Michigan assistant coach Jennifer Brundage captured gold with Team USA at the 2000 Sydney Games.
• Amanda Chidester: 0 for 3
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)
• Chidester Earns Olympic Silver Medal with Team USA
Monday, July 26
USA 2, Japan 1
The United States completed opening-round play with a perfect 5-0 record after rallying to defeat Japan, 2-1, in a preview of the gold-medal game. Team USA earned its second straight walkoff victory when Kelsey Stewart led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo homer to right field. Japan led for the majority of the contest after scoring on a passed ball in the first inning, but the Red, White and Blue used three singles to plate the tying run in the sixth before a deep fly ball left the bases loaded. Three different U.S. pitchers appeared in the circle, with Ally Carda striking out nine through 5.1 innings and Monica Abbott earning the victory in relief. Former Wolverine Amanda Chidester went 0-for-2 from the plate but reached on a full-count hit-by-pitch in the fourth inning. The gold-medal game is scheduled for Tuesday (July 27) at 7 a.m. EDT (8 p.m. in Japan) on NBCSN.
• Amanda Chidester: 0 for 2, HBP
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)
Amanda Chidester (second from left) celebrates her walkoff hit vs. Australia (Jade Hewitt/USA Softball)
Sunday, July 25
USA 2, Australia 1 (8 innings)
Former Wolverine Amanda Chidester delivered a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel the United States to a 2-1 win over Australia. The win improved Team USA to 4-0 with a game remaining in opening-round play and clinched its berth in the gold-medal game. Australia used a bases-loaded walk to break through in the top of the eighth, but Team USA moved quickly to threaten in the home half, putting two in scoring position via the international tiebreaker, an infield single and a sacrifice bunt. Chidester connected with the first pitch in the next at-bat and hit a hard bouncer to left-center to score both baserunners. It was the second time in three games that Chidester drove in the winning run. Monica Abbott tossed a complete-game gem from the circle, striking out 13 while giving up one run -- the first allowed by Team USA in four games -- on three hits and six walks.
• Amanda Chidester: 1 for 4, 2 RBI, SB
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)Saturday, July 24
USA 2, Mexico 0
Team USA earned its third straight shutout win in opening-round play, defeating Mexico 2-0 on Saturday (July 24) in its first contest since relocating to Yokohama Stadium outside Tokyo. Veteran pitchers Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott again combined for the shutout. Osterman fanned four and allowed just one hit and a walk through six innings, while Abbott struck out all three batters faced in the seventh. Ali Aguilar drove a bases-loaded, two-run single into right-center to plate the only runs of the game. Wolverine alum Amanda Chidester went 0-for-4 in the game but was placed on base as the temporary runner for catcher Dejah Mulipola with two outs in the third and crossed home plate for the go-ahead tally.
• Amanda Chidester: 0 for 4
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)
(USA Today Sports Images)
Thursday, July 22
USA 1, Canada 0
Wolverine alum Amanda Chidester provided the heroics for Team USA in its 1-0 win against Canada on Thursday (July 22), breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI single through the right side to plate the lone run of the contest. Chidester, who earned her second straight start at designated player, went 2-for-4 after also reaching on a checked-swing single in the first inning. USA pitcher Monica Abbott was masterful in a nine-strikeout, one-hit shutout. Canada threatened in the sixth, but Team USA got out of the jam with an outfield assist and tag at the plate before Abbott used an inning-ending strikeout to leave the tying run stranded at third.
• Amanda Chidester: 2 for 4, RBI
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)
Wednesday, July 21
USA 2, Italy 0
The 2020 Olympic Games officially kicked off with a softball tripleheader Wednesday morning (July 21) in Fukushima, marking the sport's return to the Games after a 13-year hiatus. The United States opened up with a gritty 2-0 win against Italy, using an RBI single from Michelle Moultrie to break a scoreless tie in the fifth inning before adding an insurance run in the sixth. Cat Osterman struck out nine through six innings and combined for the shutout with fellow veteran Monica Abbott. Former Wolverine Amanda Chidester earned the start at designated player and went 1-for-3 from the No. 3 spot in the order, beating out a slow roller down the first-base line for a sixth-inning single.
• Amanda Chidester: 1 for 3
• Stats and Video (NBCOlympics.com)
