Four members of the University of Washington softball team have earned All-Pac-12 honors, including 2016 Ceres High grad Nicole "Sis" Bates.
"I'm very excited for our four athletes that made the team," Washington head coach Heather Tarr said. "It's about leaving no doubt when you have an opportunity to face your conference opponents and it's ultimately what the other coaches think of your athletes and team."
Bates was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
"Sis making the All-Freshmen team is big," Tarr said. "It's great for her, for our program and for our team's future."
Bates made a difference on both offense and defense during her first season with the Huskies (50-14).
Nicole started all 64 games this season, with her primary position being second base.
She had a batting average of .338 with 66 hits, three home runs, six triples, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs and 42 runs.
She ranked first in the Pac-12 in triples.
"I didn't know what to expect going into college," Nicole said after being named a finalist for the 2017 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Freshman of the Year award in April. "I'm so grateful to be on the team I'm on. I love every single one of the girls. The leadership we have on our team is unbelievable. The upperclassmen have taken me under their wings."
Sixth-seeded Washington advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division-I Women's College World Series.
The Huskies fell two victories shy of qualifying for the championship game.
Washington claimed Super Regional and Regional titles.
"We want to win a national championship," Bates said leading up to the NCAA tournament. "We're confident in our preparation. We'll see how it goes."
Bates helped guide Ceres High to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III crown in 2016.
In 114 career games with the Bulldogs, Nicole batted .512 (205-for-400) with 14 homers, 22 triples, 31 doubles, 102 RBIs, 171 runs, 52 stolen bases and 32 walks with just 13 strikeouts.
Bates won the Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State Player of the Year award.
She received FloSoftball All-American First-Team honors and Premier Girls Fastpitch West Regional All-American Team accolades.
Nicole also earned a roster spot on the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women's National Training Team.
