Izel Avalos: Leading Mexico’s quest for history in the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 Super Round

Izel Avalos is the captain of the Mexican team that clinched its spot in the Super Round of the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 in Oklahoma City, USA with a Saturday night win over Czechia, propelling her squad into the top four in the world.

"It feels really good. We’re one of the best four teams, and that was our goal. I feel very proud," she said after the game. "We’re going to come back with even more energy for the Super Round."

Late Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, an icon of Mexican culture, once said: “We Mexicans are born wherever we choose.” This is the case for Avalos. Born on 11 June 2007 in California, USA, she chose to play for Mexico, the country of her parents’ birth.

"It’s something very special. Playing a World Cup representing your country is something that not everyone gets to experience," the second baseman said. "It’s something really beautiful, this feeling is something you can’t get anywhere else or with any other team."

Some players start out in the sport because of their parents’ influence. That was not the case for Avalos, who fell in love with softball at a very young age.

"I started playing when I was seven years old, and from then on I just kept practicing and playing. I really liked it myself," she explained. "There are always ups and downs, times when you don’t want to play anymore, or when you feel like you can’t keep going. But the important thing is what the sport teaches you. These experiences are something that, without softball, you couldn’t live."

Living in the United States, Avalos traveled many times over the years, often away from family, to attend training camps, play in national championships, and stay close to the national team programme. For her, wearing Mexico’s jersey in a World Cup makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.

"We’ve been working toward this for the last three years, and since this is also my last junior year, I feel very proud to be able to do this and achieve this with the girls."

Avalos is not only representing her country; she’s also the captain of the national team.

"It means a lot to me," she said proudly. "I just want to be able to show up for the girls and be someone they can go to when times are intense. We’re all here for the same thing, so really, all of us are leaders in a way."

Mexico has never won a medal in a Women’s Softball World Cup, in any category. Now, Avalos and her teammates have a chance to make history.

"I feel really good about our team and our chances, honestly. I think the first couple of games were rough. Obviously, it’s the top eight teams, everyone’s strong. But I do think that we finally found our momentum. We found our energy, and we just need to take that into the next few games and we should be just fine."