A former Clemson Softball superstar has decided to hang up her cleats.

Valerie Cagle announced her retirement via social media Wednesday:

“After 18 years of playing this sport, I’m ready to hang up my cleats.

“As I walk off the field for the last time as a player, I’m filled with so much gratitude for everything God has allowed my career to be. For the memories, the relationships, the opportunities, and the growth this sport has given me.

“The little girl in the last picture never could have imagined the impact this sport would have on her life and who she would become, and I am so thankful for the journey this game has taken me on.”

In 18 games for the Carolina Blaze during the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season, Cagle hit .348 with a .375 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. She had four home runs, two doubles, 13 RBI and eight runs scored in 46 at-bats. As a pitcher during the 2024 AUSL Championship, she posted a 2.56 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched over nine games with 13 strikeouts, six walks and 20 hits allowed.

Cagle, a four-time All-American at Clemson and the 2023 Collegiate Player of the Year, joined the Furman Softball coaching staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026 season.

Cagle rose to national prominence while leading Clemson to 189 victories, the 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title, and three consecutive NCAA regional appearances during her five-year college career from 2020-24. An original member of the Clemson Softball program, she captured first team NFCA All-America honors in 2022, ’23 and ’24 after earning second team honors in 2021. In 2023, she was named the ACC Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, while also earning USA Softball and D1 Softball National Player of the Year honors.

A native of Yorktown, Va., the Clemson graduate and two-way player finished her Clemson career as the school’s all-time leader in games played (243), games started (243), batting average (.379), at bats (759), hits (288), doubles (49), home runs (66), RBI (224), slugging percentage (.721), on-base percentage (.457), walks (101), total bases (547), appearances in the circle (153), starts in the circle (114), victories (86), innings pitched (756.1), lowest opponent batting average (.204), strikeouts (819), complete games (79), saves (14) and solo shutouts (28).