US beats Japan 7-6 in final of softball world championship to earn Olympic berth

MAKUHARI, Japan — 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 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.

“They always find a way to come back,” U.S. coach Ken Eriksen said. “I tell them, ‘Don’t get too wrapped up in what your swings looks like, what your pitch is supposed to do. Just play softball.