Crystl Bustos smacked two home runs as the United States roared on to their third straight Olympic softball gold medal here Monday, outclassing Australia 5-1 in the final.
But the Australians, who earlier lost to the United States 10-0 in a preliminary match and 5-0 in the medal round, stopped a shut-out streak by the defending champions at eight games.
Australia, which advanced to the final by whipping Japan 3-0 in a second-chance play-off after losing to the United States on Sunday, went one up on their two bronze medals from the two previous Olympics.
Japan, the runners-up in 2000, who beat China 1-0 for a berth in the playoff, settled for the bronze in the eight-nation tournament.
Third base player Bustos slammed a two-run homer over centerfield with Leah Amico on first base in the bottom of the first inning. It was her fourth four-bagger of the Athens Olympics.
The US women continued their offense and Kelly Kretschman drove in another run to put the defending champions ahead 3-0.
Bustos hit the first ball off Australian starter Tonya Harding as the first batter in the bottom of the third inning.
Stacy Nuveman floated another solo home run into the right stand, forcing Harding to be replaced with Melanie Roche.
Australia launched a fightback in the top of the sixth inning when Sandra Allen popped up the ball past US second base player Lovieanne Jung and dashed to second base.
Stacey Porter doubled to leftfield at next bat. Allen slide onto home plate, escaping a throw to the plate by US leftfielder Jessica Mendoze to end the US shut-out streak.
But the Australians could not keep up the momentum as they succumbed 5-1.
