Bronze for Spirit

Australia has suffered softball heartbreak and will have to settle for a bronze medal after losing 4-3 to Japan in a 12-innings game which lasted close to three hours.

In a match to decide who would go through to the gold medal match against the United States, Australia held the early lead 1-0 before a two-run home run from Megu Hirose at the bottom of the fifth saw Japan assume control.

But, with Japan one out from victory in the top of seventh, Kerry Wyborn squared it up with a solo homer to centerfield, and when Japan failed to score in the bottom of the seventh the game went to extra innings.

It took until the top of the 11th for another run to be scored, when a double from Natalie Ward batted in Stacey Porter, but Australia couldn't close the game out when Ward dropped the ball allowing Rei Nishiyama to make it 3-3.

The decisive moment came at the bottom of the 12th. Japan worked the bases loaded and Nishiyama’s single brought home Masumi Mishina, finally breaking the deadlock and booking a spot in the gold medal match.

"I'm just very disappointed to lose the game," Australian coach Fabian Barlow said.

"I sit here extraordinarily proud of the players. I have no doubt this was the best game of Olympic softball ever."

After earlier overcoming Canada 5-3 to progress into this match, Australia began very well when in the first inning, a Sandy Lewis triple off the pitching of Yukiko Ueno batted in a run to Porter.

Justine Smethurst looked well in control on the mound and while Rie Sato managed to get to second base at the bottom of the second, Ward was able to take a simple fly to close out Japan in that inning.

Australia then had an excellent opportunity to increase its advantage at the top of the third when Belinda Wright singled, Wyborn was walked when hit in the helmet and then Lewis profited from an error to load up the bases. But Natalie Titcume struck out and the margin remained at one.

After Danielle Stewart was left stranded at second at the top of the fourth, Japan took control thanks to Hirose's big hit. With Satuko Mabuchi on first, Hirose smashed Smethhurst over the fence at deep left.

Matoko Fujimoto threatened to extend that lead when she made it to third on the back of a triple at the bottom of the fifth. However, Smethurst got out of trouble thanks to a good catch from Lewis.

At the top of the sixth, Lewis made her way to third, but Stewart could not get her home after failing to get the ball through the infield. Tanya Harding then took control of the mound and didn't concede a hit in the sixth.

However, there was to be plenty more drama when with two out and facing a 2-2 count, Wyborn put Ueno back over her head and into the stands to level the scores.

In a thrilling end to the seventh innings, Sachiko Ito was bearing down on home plate when Titcume managed to tag her to push the match past regulation.

Porter, who started on second as part of the extra inning regulations, managed to get to third at the top of the eighth, but her team-mates couldn't get her home, handing the advantage to Japan. However, strong