USA Softball Team Advances to Gold Medal Game

The U.S. women's softball advanced to the gold medal finals after defeating Japan 4-1 in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Crystal Bustos hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning as the Americans extended their Olympic winning streak to 22.

The game was tied at zero until the ninth inning when Caitlin Lowe hit an RBI single, followed by Bustos' homer. The USA team will advance to the last finals until at least the 2016 Olympic Games.

Tied after seven innings, the teams went to the international tiebreaker in the eighth as both began their at-bats with a runner at second base. Neither could score in the eighth.

Monica Abbott pitched eight shutout innings for the U.S., which will face Japan again for gold Thursday. The Japanese team defeated Australia, 4-3, later Wednesday, with the winner meeting the Americans and the loser getting bronze.

The U.S. will battle Japan for the gold medal on Thursday at 6:30 a.m.