The women’s softball final had been a rather turgid affair, with both pitchers dominating as no runs were scored throughout seven-innings of regulation play. 

This led to an overtime period in which both teams automatically started with runners on second base and, after a ball hit straight up in the air by Natalie Wideman somehow evaded all the US catchers, the Canadians also had a runner on first.

Joey Lye then broke the deadlock with a two-run double before two more were added courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Jennifer Salling and a single from Erika Polidori.

Needing four runs to tie the game, the US managed two but also suffered two outs.

With two runners-on, Sierra Romero ambitiously attempted what would have been a gold medal winning home run only to be struck out to end a run of seven straight US golds and bring about the first Canadian triumph in women's softball since Caracus 1983.

This was followed by similar late drama in the concluding men's volleyball final as Argentina battled back from 2-1 down to beat two-time defending champions Brazil in a final lasting two hours and 15 minutes. 

The Argentinians, seeking a first win since Mar del Plata 1995, struck first, taking the opening set 25-23.

They were then pegged back in the next two and were at one stage trailing in the fourth before fighting back brilliantly to win it 25-23.

They then took the shortened decider 15-8. 

Elsewhere today, there was a first Pan American Games gold medal for 12 years for Uruguay as a free-kick from Brian Lozano proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Mexico in the men's football final.

It marked a first Pan American Games title in the event since Caracus 1983.

On a busy evening of team finals, US won an historic first women's baseball gold with an 11-3 victory over Canada. 

There was also a third gold of the Games for racquetball star Paula Longoria as she and Samantha Salas enjoyed a 2-0 victory over United States.

Andres Chocho of Ecuador had earlier taken the first gold medal of the day in the 50km walk, winning by over five minutes from Erick Barrondo of Guatemala.

The US ended proceedings on a dominant 265 medals, including 103 gold, with Canada chasing hard with a record 78 golds and a total of 217 medals.

Brazil finished in third place on the medals table, with the top 10 completed by Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador and Guatemala.

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