BEIJING — This was on-field drama at its best: workhorse pitcher Yukiko Ueno playing the starring role, Ayumi Karino and Eri Yamada shining in their supporting roles and Japan destroying the U.S. softball team's aura of invincibility.

Japan earned a stunning 3-1 victory over the United States in the Beijing Games softball gold medal game on Thursday night at Fengtai Softball Field in the final Olympic title game for at least eight years.

In the triumph, Ueno conjured up memories of Daisuke Matsuzaka for his body of work for Yokohama High School in the National High School Baseball Championship at Koshien Stadium in 1998, pitching for three straight days, including a 250-pitch effort in the 17-inning quarterfinals.