Revenge is sweet for Americans

Up in arms: Laura Berg is mobbed by her team-mates

The United States bounced back to form when it mattered most to capture the softball title.

The defending champions held on to their title with a 2-1 defeat of Japan in a rain-hit final.

Victory was particularly sweet for the Americans after their opponents had ended their 112-game winning streak in the preliminary rounds.

"We are the best team in the world," beamed US centre fielder Laura Berg after the contest. "Now we have shown everybody that we truly are invincible."

Tears before bedtime: Japan mourn their loss

The Japanese, previously undefeated in the competition, took the lead in the top of the fourth innings when Reika Utsugo smashed a home run that soared just beyond Berg's outstretched glove.

The Americans hit back at the bottom of the fifth after Stacey Nuveman hit a single to centre and advanced to second as first baseman Sheila Douty grounded out.

Slipped

With the scores still level at the end of seven innings the rain came down and it was the Japanese who were clearly most affected.

Relief pitcher Juri Takayama, who had been dominant in the sixth and seventh, lost her vice-like grip, allowing Leah O'Brien-Amico and Dot Richardson to get to first and second.

Shiori Koseki then slipped over as she tried to catch a flyball hit by Berg. The ball popped out of glove and the Americans crossed for the winning run.

"As I saw her (Koseki) fall, I knew we had it," said Nuveman. "I grabbed Lisa (Fernandez, the US pitcher) and said 'We've won! We've won!'"

The Americans had looked to be on their way out at one stage of the tournament, after the defeat by the Japanese sparked a three-game losing streak.

"It's been full circle, emotionally and physically," Nuveman confessed.

"Winning tonight shows so much about the athletes that we have, that we can win against those who have beaten us."