The pair have been the two dominant forces at the World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan, beating off opposition from six other nations to force a repeat of the 2012 Women's Baseball World Cup in Edmonton, Canada.

Three-time defending champions Japan have recorded a 12-game winning streak en route to the final, with the run extending back to the 2012 World Cup where they won all seven games to claim the world crown.

The United States had been unbeaten in Japan, however, the side fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Japan in the last final four encounter earlier today, in what was a prelude of tomorrow's gold medal final.

Japan and the US' berths in the final were secured yesterday when they recorded 12-2 and 3-1 victories over Canada and Australia respectively.

Japan's win looked uncertain at first as they gave away their first runs of the tournament to their Canadian opponents.

Pitching duties were handed over to Ayami Satoh in the top of the 3rd inning, after a rocky start by Yukari Isozaki, however, with Satoh shutting out the opposition's offence to help Japan on its way to an early fifth round knockout, ending the contest 12-2 by way of the 10-run rule.

The US' duel with Australia was a much tighter affair with just five hits recorded in a classic pitcher's duel to start the final four contest, with the US squad recording a narrow 3-1 victory, at Sun Marine Stadium.

Japan raced to a 12-2 victory over Canada to book their spot in the final where they will meet the United States after their 3-1 win against Australia ©WSBC



With the two victories, the last two final four encounters were a simple pre-finals matchup between the four teams.

The first match saw Australia record a thrilling 6-5 victory over Canada, while Japan ensured their winning streak continued with a 1-0 win against the US.

The matches will be repeated at the Sun Marine Stadium tomorrow with tensions likely to be higher as the gold, silver and bronze medals are up for grabs.

As is the case in the gold medal final, it will also be a 2012 rematch for bronze where Canada will be out to defend the prize they picked up two years ago, while Australia will try to earn the Emerald's first-ever medal.

Leigh Godfrey, who competed on Australia's bronze-winning women's national softball team at the Women's Softball World Championship in Haarlem, The Netherlands in August, has the opportunity to become the first player in history to earn a medal in both the Women's Softball World Championship and Women's Baseball World Championship.

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