Valerio, González lead Dominican Republic to Central American Games softball gold

The Dominican Republic has reclaimed the gold medal in men's softball at the Central American and Caribbean Games, defeating Venezuela 5-1 in a decisive match. Elías Valerio emerged as the star player, hitting two home runs – one solo and another that brought in two runs – powering the Dominican offense.

Valerio's performance was exceptional, contributing three runs scored and four runs batted in. He was instrumental in securing the victory for the home team. Juan Presinal also contributed significantly with two hits and two runs scored, bolstering the Dominican lineup.

On the mound, Yancarlos González delivered a dominant performance. The right-handed pitcher completed the full seven innings, limiting Venezuela to just three hits and one earned run. He issued four walks but struck out an impressive 10 batters to earn the win.

This victory is particularly significant as it reaffirms the Dominican Republic's status as the regional champion. They successfully defended the title they won in San Salvador in 2023 and achieved this triumph on home soil against Venezuela, who are the reigning world champions and ranked second globally.

The win marks another celebration for the host nation's delegation in the final day of the Santo Domingo 2026 Games, highlighting the continued growth and strength of Dominican softball on the regional stage.