Australia's softball team has won a silver medal at the Olympic Games, beaten 5-1 by the United States in the gold medal match.

Two giant home runs to US third base Crystl Bustos highlighted an awesome display by the red-hot favourite.

Japan won the bronze medal after Australia beat it in Sunday's sudden-death final to earn a shot at the gold medal match.

For Australia, its silver medal is an improvement on the team's two previous Olympic efforts - bronze medals in Atlanta and Sydney.

Unbeaten in eight games going into the final, the US never gave Australia a look in, taking control from the first inning.

A two-run homer from Bustos which batted in Leah Amico started the rot.

Then an error from catcher Marissa Carpadios on a poor throw from centre fielder Kerry Wyborn allowed Lisa Fernandez home to give the US a 3-0 lead.

Bustos thumped another home run in the third, before catcher Stacey Nuveman followed suit to end any hope of an Australian comeback.

But Australia did become the first team to score a run against the US in these Games in the sixth inning - Stacey Porter's double batting in Sandra Allen.

The US finished the tournament with 51 runs for and one against and stretched its unbeaten run in international competition to 79 games.

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