Japan takes gold, Team USA and Bruin alums falter in Olympic softball finals

The Americans were unable to avenge their 2008 loss to Japan

After an undefeated start in Tokyo, Team USA and its two starring Bruins could not finish the week atop the podium.

Thirteen years after the United States fell to Japan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics final – the last time softball had appeared in the Games – the Americans lost to the Japanese yet again, dropping the gold medal game 2-0 on Tuesday. Former Bruins Delaney Spaulding and Ally Carda both featured for the US, playing vital roles in the outcome for better or worse.

Starting at shortstop, Spaulding left her mark early on. In the first inning, the Bruin alumna made a diving stop to rob Japan of a hit and a run, stranding their runner at third base and keeping the game scoreless.

Delaney Spaulding’s defense 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

— Jen Schroeder (@jen_schro) July 27, 2021

Defensive plays were the theme of the game, with both squads making multiple key stops to prevent runs from crossing the plate. Japan turned two in the sixth to end the inning and preserve its two-run lead, while Janie Reed's robbery of a home run in the seventh kept Team USA in the game headed into the final frame.

One of the reasons the Americans were trailing in the first place, however, was because of one Bruin's performance in the circle.

Ally Carda entered the game for the US after coach Ken Ericksen pulled Kat Osterman  in the top of the third inning, the game still tied 0-0. Carda had also pitched Monday against Japan, helping Team USA finish group stage play with a victory behind her 5.1 innings of one-run ball.

The former Bruin's 2.2 inning-outing Tuesday was not as successful, and she wound up getting tacked with the loss.

With two down in the fourth inning, a slow chopper to the second baseman led to a bang-bang play at first. The runner slid in safe while her teammate scored from third – the first earned run the US had allowed throughout the entirety of the Toyko Olympics. Carda got the hook with a runner on in the fifth inning, and she was charged with an additional earned run after Monica Abbott allowed them to score. 

Carda finished her night with two earned runs, two strikeouts and three hits allowed.

The Americans had three innings to make up the deficit, but they came up short at the plate down the stretch.

Spaulding walked in the second inning, but finished the night hitless when it was all said and done. She had a chance to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, but it didn't come to fruition and she fouled out to end the ballgame.

Recent UCLA softball players Rachel Garcia and Bubba Nickles never entered the game, creating an interesting "what if" surrounding the Americans' loss.

The two-time USA Softball Player of the Year Garcia and former First-Team All-American Nickles' future with USA Softball has yet to be defined, and since the sport is scheduled to be skipped at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they may have to wait until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for a chance at redemption.

For now, it's silver for the Americans and the four Bruins who suited up for them this tournament.

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