Lori Harrigan pitched a three-hitter and Crystl Bustos doubled home the go-ahead run Saturday as the United States edged Japan 1-0 in the four-nation Japan Cup softball tournament.
In a rematch of the World Championship final earlier this month, Harrigan kept the host at bay while Stacy Nuveman and Bustos hit back-to-back doubles off Juri Takayama for the only run of the game at Hodogaya Stadium in Yokohama.
The U.S., the Olympic and world champion, then beat winless China 4-0 to finish the preliminary round in first place with a 3-0 record.
Japan (2-1) finished second and Australia (1-2), which beat China 3-1 earlier Saturday, was third.