Japan has beaten Australia, 4-3, in 12 innings. The win sets up a rematch with Team USA in Thursday's gold-medal game. Masumi Mishina scored the winning run off the bat of Rei Nishiyama.
More...
Australia is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal in Beijing, as it defeated Canada, 5-3, on Day 12. The Aussies will next face Japan, and that winner will play the U.S. for the championship.
More...
It's the day that the U.S. Softball Team has waited four years for -- the opportunity to defend its Olympic gold medal and play for a fourth. Not surprisingly, the anticipation has kept Jessica Mendoza awake nights.
More...
The United States blasted through the round-robin portion of the softball competition in blazing fashion: Mike Candrea's squad has outscored its competitors by a 53-1 margin. Check out some fiery highlights.
More...
The Olympic softball tournament offered a bit of everything: Late-game heroics, extra-inning affairs, dominating pitching, monstrous home runs and more. Re-live the action here through a camera lens.
More...
Late heroics courtesy of Crystl Bustos and clutch pitching from Monica Abbott lifted the U.S. over Japan on Wednesday. The teams will meet again Thursday at 6:30 a.m. ET for the gold medal. Watch it LIVE here.
More...
Olympic softball has concluded for 2008 -- and possibly for good. As you digest those final innings of the U.S.-Japan title tilt, take a moment to watch the United States during its road to the silver medal.
More...
Crystl Bustos has tattoos. She's got long hair that she braids before every game. Oh, and she likes to hit softballs a long way. Opposing pitchers hate to face her. Teammates call her a "teddy bear."
More...
The Netherlands will not be going home empty-handed. After dropping the first six games they played in Beijing, the Dutch defeated Chinese Taipei, 4-2, in the last game for both teams on Day 10.
More...
U.S. pitcher Jennie Finch threw a gem against Chinese-Taipei on Saturday, allowing a pair of hits and striking out six batters. Offensively, the U.S. pounded the ball en route to the 7-0 victory.
More...
Stacey Porter scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning Sunday, racing home on an infield single by Natalie Ward to help guide Australia past Canada, 4-0, in a pivotal matchup in Beijing.
More...
The U.S. softball program is stunned. Players cried -- in defeat -- at Fengtai Stadium. A few left their cleats at home plate, signifying their retirement from the sport. What now? The waiting game for 2016 begins.
More...
Japan has pulled a monumental upset over Team USA. The U.S. fell to the Japanese, 3-1, for their first loss in Beijing. The U.S. had won the previous three Olympic titles.
More...
Japan pulled a monumental upset over Team USA in the gold-medal game. The Americans fell to the Japanese, 3-1, for their first loss in Beijing. They had won the previous three Olympic titles.
More...
U.S.-Japan part II (part I was in round-robin play) provided plenty of excitement. For the Americans, the third installment in that series was heartbreaking. Check out some Team USA clips from Beijing.
More...
As softball in Beijing winds down, so does the sport's place in the Games. Thursday's gold-medal bout will signify the end of Olympic-level softball. The sport has 13 months to lobby for re-entry in 2016.
More...
Monica Abbott tossed a perfect game and the United States smacked three home runs in an 8-0 victory over the Netherlands in five innings on Day 9. The Americans are 6-0 heading into the final day of round-robin play.
More...
Japan has taken a huge step toward earning the No. 2 seed in the semifinals that start next week, as it defeated China, 3-0. China fell to 2-3 in round-robin play; Japan is now 4-1.
More...
Seven players banged out a total of nine hits and the U.S. improved to 7-0 in Beijing thanks to a 9-0 dismantling of China. All nine runs were scored in the first inning -- tying an Olympic record -- and two outs.
More...
Japan pulled a monumental upset over Team USA in the gold-medal game. The Americans fell to the Japanese, 3-1, for their first loss in Beijing. They had won the previous three Olympic titles.
More...
Olympic softball has concluded for 2008 -- and possibly for good. As you digest those final innings of the U.S.-Japan title tilt, take a moment to watch the United States during its road to the silver medal.
More...
The Olympic softball tournament offered a bit of everything: Late-game heroics, extra-inning affairs, dominating pitching, monstrous home runs and more. Re-live the action here through a camera lens.
More...
The U.S. softball program is stunned. Players cried -- in defeat -- at Fengtai Stadium. A few left their cleats at home plate, signifying their retirement from the sport. What now? The waiting game for 2016 begins.
More...
After Japan stunned the U.S. with a 3-1 win in the gold medal game, the International Olympic Committee will have to look for another excuse not to reinstate the sport for the 2016 games.
More...