Aguilar's Defense Helps Team USA Stay Undefeated at Olympics
TOKYO, Japan – On a day where all three Olympic softball games were decided by one run, it was a defensive gem in the first game by Ali Aguilar that helped Team USA stay undefeated and move to 2-0 in the competition.
Of all U.S. college programs, Washington has the most current and former athletes participating in the Olympics with five. Head Coach Heather Tarr is also serving as an assistant coach for Team USA.
The first game saw Aguilar and Team USA face off with Canada, which features three former UW athletes in Victoria Hayward, Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling. In the bottom of the sixth inning, with USA holding onto a 1-0 lead, Canada put its leadoff batter on first base. Sara Groenewegen doubled into the right center field gap and Joey Lye attempted to score from first to tie the game. USA's center fielder Haylie McCleney fielded the ball and threw it to Ali Aguilar, who then fired home to catcher Aubree Munro for the out to preserve the shutout. Team USA would go on to win the game by a score of 1-0.
WHAT a play.@TeamUSA x #TokyoOlympics
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?? NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/eM6mDfmI7M— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
Day 2 Recap
Game 4: USA 1, Canada 0
- Ali Aguilar (USA) reached base twice and threw out a runner at home to preserve Team USA's 1-0 lead
- Victoria Hayward and Jenn Salling (CAN) started in left field and at first base for Canada.
- Danielle Lawrie (CAN) threw one scoreless inning of relief and has now thrown 3.0 scoreless innings in the Olympics.
Game 5: Japan 3, Mexico 2 (F/8)
- Gabbie Plain (AUS) did not see action
Day 3 (Friday/Saturday) Schedule (Times listed are PST)
Game 7 (Friday): Australia at Canada, 6:00 p.m.
- AUS: Gabbie Plain
- CAN: Victoria Hayward, Danielle Lawrie, Jenn Salling
Game 7 (Friday): USA at Mexico, 10:30 p.m.
- USA: Ali Aguilar
Game 8 (Saturday): Japan at Italy, 4:00 a.m.
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