How to watch U.S. softball, seeking redemption vs. Japan in gold-medal game 13 years after defeat

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TOKYO — The rematch has waited 13 years: Japan vs. the United States in the gold-medal softball game.

In this case, the U.S. is hoping history does not repeat itself. After taking out Japan twice during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Japan snapped the United States’ 22-game unbeaten streak and snatched the gold medal, which the U.S. had won in three consecutive Olympics, from them.

Cat Osterman couldn’t even think about the future then.

“The loss hurts too much to think about in the present moment,” she said in August 2008.

Osterman, now 38, allowed two runs in that 3-1 loss. Monica Abbott surrendered the other run. In 2021, both could step into the circle against Japan on Tuesday for a shot at redemption more than a decade in the making.

United States starting pitcher Monica Abbott (14) celebrates after a strike out in the sixth inning with bases loaded against Australia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium.
United States starting pitcher Monica Abbott (14) celebrates after a strike out in the sixth inning with bases loaded against Australia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium.

Kelsey Stewart’s walk-off home run against Japan on Monday gave the U.S. a 2-1 victory and a 5-0 record in group play. The game, however, didn’t mean much – the gold-medal matchup had been decided after Sunday’s action – other than a preview of Tuesday.

“I think it’s something you dream about when you’re a little kid, hitting a home run at the Olympics, let alone a walk-off,” Stewart said Monday.

Coach Ken Eriksen leaned on Ally Carda for 5 1/3 innings in the win but brought in both Osterman – who struck out both batters she faced – and Abbot, who delivered a perfect inning and picked up the win.

Japan is throwing it back to the mid-2000s with their own star from that era. Yukiko Ueno pitched her team to gold in 2008 with seven innings of one-run ball in a herculean performance that involved her throwing more than 600 pitches in four days.

“She’s a legend in this game,” Abbott, 35, said last week. “She was a legend the moment she threw 600 pitches (over four days) in 2008 and she’s been a legend ever since.”

While the pitching matchups for neither team have been released, there are good odds the U.S. will see 39-year-old Ueno, and Eriksen will almost certainly tab a combination of Abbott and Osterman.

However, tropical storm Nepartak is expected to make landfall Tuesday and could impact the game. As for how it would impact his decision-making, Eriksen said he’s more worried about his next meal.

What time is USA softball vs. Japan softball game?

First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time -- 7 a.m. ET back in the States.

What channel is USA softball vs. Japan game?

The game will be aired on NBC Sports over linear television.

How to stream USA softball vs. Japan

Streaming is available through nbcolympics.com.

Where is USA softball playing Japan?

After the softball tournament began in Fukushima, the medal games will be played at Yokohama Baseball Stadium, just south of the Tokyo metropolis.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA softball, Japan gold medal Tokyo Games: How to watch, stream, TV