FUKUSHIMA, Japan, July 21 (Reuters) - Host nation Japan breathed a sigh of relief by winning the first event of the pandemic-postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, crushing Australia 8-1 in a spectatorless softball game held against the backdrop of the lush hills of Fukushima. "I feel relieved," said Japan"s starting pitcher Yukiko Ueno, who surrendered just two hits over 4-1/3 innings, but saw her team easily prevail with a trio of two-run homers. Olympics and Japanese officials could also stop holding their collective breath after more than a year of panic and uncertainty over whether the Games could be staged with deadly waves of coronavirus infections forcing athletes to train alone and spectators to stay home. Ueno, ace of the softball team"s 2008 gold medal run, struggled to throw strikes early and hit two Australians. Coach Reika Utsugi said Ueno was too cautious after the pandemic had limited scrimmages. Ueno blamed her excitement on the "very long time" between Olympics – a remark she illustrated for reporters by outstretching her arms. Ueno quickly bounced back. Australian designated player Tarni Stepto said her side failed to exert patience at the plate, leaving bases loaded in the first after scoring the game"s initial run. The game ended after five innings due to a mercy rule. Only buzzing cicadas and polite applause from a few hundred staff were heard as Japan"s shots cleared the fence. Players standing along the benches under the scorching sun - 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) by midgame - shouted at the hitters all morning, giving the game a Little League feel. The players needed ice water poured on their necks to help them stand the heat, Stepto said. The six competing softball teams will face each other once over six days before the top four head to bronze and gold medal games. Two more softball games as well as the first six women"s soccer matches are scheduled for later Wednesday. The opening ceremony is Friday. The initial two days of games are being held at a baseball stadium in Fukushima, a region badly affected by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster. After the 2008 Beijing Olympics featured a softball-specific venue, the temporary fencing in the outfield and an electronically-lowered pitching mound in Fukushima have attracted scorn from fans. There was at least one hiccup. Though rules require one, a chalk pitching circle was not laid until the fourth inning. To offer some semblance of fan support, concourses at stadiums including the one at Fukushima have been lined with young peach trees and other plants bearing messages from local children urging athletes to "go for gold".