MARACAY, VENEZUELA -- Team USA was held to a one run and left 12 batters stranded on base in a 5-1 loss to Japan Thursday at Jose Casanova Stadium.

Jenny Dalton-Hill led the U.S. offensively, going 2-for-2 with a run batted in. Starter Marti Sementelli gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings to suffer the loss and fall to 0-1 in the World Cup action.

Japan was paced by Natsumi Nakano and Ayako Rokkaku, who combined for five RBIs while posting three hits apiece. Started Yukari Isozaki picked up the win after striking out four in four innings of work and giving a run on three hits while walking five.

“For us to be successful, we must execute better,” said head coach Don Freeman. “Japan did everything we expected them to do. We weren’t effective in Japan’s big inning and that was the difference in the game,” said Freeman.

Team USA struck first, breaking a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. Jenna Marston led off the inning with a flare to center that dropped in for a double and took third on the sacrifice bunt by Clarisa Navarro. Dalton-Hill hit the first offering from Isozaki to center to drive in Marston.

However, Japan responded with a two-out rally in the top of the fourth. After giving up a single to Yukiko Kon, Megumi Miyazaki drew a walk and was followed by Akiko Shimura who beat the throw on a bunt to third for an infield single. Nakano doubled to left to give Japan the 2-1 lead and was followed by Rokkaku, who doubled to extend Japan’s margin to 4-1.

Japan added a run in the top of the sixth, putting runners on first and third with one out for Rokkaku, who  delivered again, pushing the ball up the first-base line for a bunt single and scoring Akiko Shimura. An intentional walk was issued to catcher Tomomi Nishi, loading the bases with two outs, but Tomomi Takashima flew out to right to end the inning.

The U.S. threatened in the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and second with no outs but reliever Kasumi Noguchi retired the next three batters to escape the inning unscathed.

“We’re going to go back to the field and work out the wrinkles tomorrow,” said Freeman. “But as I said to the players, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

The U.S. is scheduled to have an off day Friday and is slated to take on South Korea Saturday at 2:30 p.m.