OKLAHOMA CITY — Ali Aguilar (Orangevale, Calif.), a former U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) member and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, has announced her retirement following a storied career with USA Softball and in various professional leagues.
“Retiring from a sport I’ve known my whole life feels like a leap of faith into the unknown. When I stood on the Olympic stage in 2021, I felt like I had finally reached the top,” said Aguilar via Instagram. “I achieved what little Ali dreamed of, but just like I always heard people say, I found myself asking, ‘Is this it? What now?’ I was secure in my identity, but it became hard to find the same passion inside me,” she added.
Aguilar began her international career with the Junior Women’s National Team in 2013 and went on to help Team USA earn two Pan American Games gold medals (2019, 2023), two World Championship gold medals (2016, 2018), and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Over the past 12 years, Aguilar has represented the U.S. on more than 10 WNT rosters, competing in three World Championships, two Pan American Games, and two World Cups of Softball.
“Ali Aguilar was the final piece of the puzzle in our quest for the gold medal in Surrey, BC, in 2016. Her contributions on both offense and defense provided us with a surge of energy,” said former WNT head coach Ken Erickson. “Her ability to match up in the middle with Delaney Spaulding created one of the best middle infield combinations in USA Softball history. Her continued success helped propel us to the medal stand in all our international competitions over the next nine years,” he added.
Recognized as one of the toughest opponents both at the plate and in the field, Aguilar appeared in more than 60 games during her 12-year career with Team USA. In 212 plate appearances, the former Washington standout posted a .362 batting average, making significant offensive contributions for the Red, White, and Blue. Most recently, she competed at the 2023 Pan American Games, where she hit .526 with one double, six RBI, and seven runs scored — earning a spot on the All-Pan Am Team.
“I’ve been blessed with unforgettable moments and even more unforgettable people,” said Aguilar’s Instagram post. “I have gained some of my best friends through this incredible sport. Thank you for keeping me sane in the highs & lows of this game. I’ll carry you all with me forever. I’ll always be Ali A. I’ll always love this sport & the community. By faith I’m stepping into a new version of me, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Aguilar’s influence extends beyond Team USA as she recently completed the inaugural season with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Talons, who won the league championship. She has been part of Athletes Unlimited since 2021 and previously played professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league and the Japanese Softball League.
CUMULATIVE STATS
| EVENT | GP | PA | AB | AVG | OBP | OPS | SLG | H | 1B | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | R | BB | SO | HBP | SAC | SF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 World Cup of Softball | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 WBSC Women’s World Championship | 6 | 13 | 12 | 0.333 | 0.385 | 1.051 | 0.667 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 World Cup of Softball | 7 | 28 | 17 | 0.353 | 0.519 | 1.048 | 0.529 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2017 Pan American Championship | 12 | 36 | 27 | 0.407 | 0.514 | 1.366 | 0.852 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 USA Softball International Cup | 6 | 24 | 18 | 0.389 | 0.542 | 1.097 | 0.556 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 WBSC Women’s World Championship | 9 | 32 | 29 | 0.310 | 0.375 | 0.996 | 0.621 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 Pan American Games | 8 | 27 | 22 | 0.318 | 0.444 | 1.081 | 0.636 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 Olympics | 6 | 18 | 10 | 0.100 | 0.471 | 0.571 | 0.100 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 Pan American Games | 6 | 21 | 19 | 0.526 | 0.571 | 1.150 | 0.579 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 World Cup Stage Event | 4 | 13 | 9 | 0.444 | 0.538 | 1.650 | 1.111 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 64 | 212 | 163 | 0.362 | 0.476 | 1.114 | 0.638 | 59 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 50 | 55 | 31 | 28 | 11 | 3 | 4 |