Ali Aguilar, 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.

The longtime softball standout commented on her Instagram site this week:

“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.”

“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.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ali Aguilar (@ali_aguilar1)

In recognition of her long and successful career on the internationals stage, USA Softball honored the standout earlier today on its Twitter page:

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 for inspiring the next generation, Ali! 🇺🇸

✨ Wishing Ali Aguilar the very best in retirement after 𝟭𝟮 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 with the U.S. Women’s National Team program!

📃 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 → https://t.co/05viGNubsH pic.twitter.com/2uNp3oL9ZN

— USA Softball (@USASoftball) August 9, 2025

Aguilar, who is from Orangeville, Calif, 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 U.S. Women’s National Team 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,” said former WNT head coach Ken Erickson.

“Her contributions on both offense and defense provided us with a surge of energy and her ability to match up in the middle with Delaney Spaulding created one of the best middle infield combinations in USA Softball history.”

“Alis’ continued success helped propel us to the medal stand in all our international competitions over the next nine years,” Coach Erickson 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 Univ. of 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,” Aguilar wrote on her 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 also been part of Athletes Unlimited since 2021 and previously played professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league and the Japanese Softball League.

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Ali’s Cumulative Stats for Team USA