Two-plus months removed from being named to the U.S Women’s National Softball Team, Ceres High School grad Nicole “Sis” Bates filled a key role while helping the Americans claim their 10th Pan American Games gold medal.
“Carrying on a legacy and representing the country is always an honor,” she said. “It’s super important to us.”
Father John Bates watched from the stands.
Sis donned jersey No. 96 to honor her older brother Jimmy. He was born in 1996.
“Super grateful to be able to share that experience with my dad,” Sis said. “It was a pretty surreal moment.”
“I’ve seen her in Red, White and Blue before,” John said. “But this was my first Pan American Games. It was another cool experience. I was the only USA fan in the bleachers.”
“The ride keeps going,” he added. “It’s pretty amazing. I never envisioned any of this stuff happening. This was all part of her plan. She envisioned it and made it happen somehow. It gives me chills every time I think about it.”
Bates batted 6-for-12 from the plate with two doubles, eight RBIs, eight runs and two walks as the United States won all six of its games at the Oct. 29-Nov. 4 event in Santiago, Chile.
“We all felt super confident when we got there,” she said. “We worked towards a common goal.”
A total of 16 players suited up for Team USA, which improved its overall record to 106-5. Bates reunited with former University of Washington softball players Ali Aguilar, Taran Alvelo and Baylee Klinger. Longtime Huskies leader Heather Tarr served as head coach of Team USA.
“When we get back together, it’s really special,” Bates said. “I don’t get to see them (Aguilar, Alvelo and Klinger) that much. We’re all over the place. We play in different pro leagues.”
“Being coached by Coach Tarr again is such a blessing,” Bates added.
U.S. shut out Puerto Rico 7-0 in six innings for the championship on Nov. 4. Bates batted 1-for-2 with one RBI and one walk.
U.S. topped Canada 8-3 on Nov. 3. Bates batted 3-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and two runs.
U.S. bested Puerto Rico 11-3 in six innings on Nov. 3. Bates batted 0-for-2.
U.S. blanked Mexico 7-0 in five innings on Nov. 1. Bates batted 1-for-2.
U.S. defeated Venezuela 9-2 in six innings on Oct. 30. Bates batted 1-for-2 with one run.
U.S. beat Chile 18-0 in three innings on Oct. 29. Bates batted 0-for-1 with one RBI and two runs.
“I’m really grateful for the people that helped me prepare for the event,” Bates said. “Coach Tarr and (former University of Washington player/current Huskies’ assistant coach) Victoria Hayward were always around.”
Bates has competed on the international stage before.
She’s represented Team USA in Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Japan.
Bates helped the United States punch its ticket to the 2024 WBSC World Cup Finals this summer. She batted .571 (4-for-7) from the plate with one double, three RBIs, one run and one walk as the Red, White and Blue won all four of its games in Group A play, which was staged July 11-15 in Ireland.
Bates made her debut with the U.S. Women’s National Softball Team at the 2022 Pan American Championship in Guatemala City. She hit .500 (13-for-26) with one home run, two triples, three doubles, nine RBIs and 13 runs as the Americans claimed the gold medal.
Bates suited up for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Softball Team in 2017.
“I come from a very small town,” she said. “I never left the country. Playing for the national team has opened doors for me. I get to play a sport that I love. This is my life. This is what I dreamed of.”
A three-time All-American with the University of Washington softball program, Bates will serve as director of player development for the Huskies this spring. She was a student assistant for the 2022 team.
Bates enjoyed a storied athletic career with the Huskies. She filled a major role in leading Washington to 222 victories, three trips to the Women’s College World Series—including one finals berth—and one Pac-12 regular-season title from 2017-2021.
She became just the second player in Pac-12 history to earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2021, 2019, 2018).
Her career fielding percentage of .980 is the second-highest mark for any middle infielder in Washington history. In her last 75 games, Bates made three total errors.
One of the most decorated players in Washington history, Bates became the program’s all-time hits leaders during her final season.
She had 320 hits in 261 career games.
She also ranks first in triples (18), third in runs (227), fourth in batting average (.385) and fifth in doubles (54) in program history.
Bates batted .389 from the plate in 2021 with one homer, five triples, 12 doubles, 32 RBIs, 55 runs and 21 stolen bases. She led the Pac-12 in hits with 75.
Bates also made history by becoming just the fifth hitter from Washington to earn NFCA All-American honors for a third time.
She was selected to the NFCA Second Team.
She was a first-team pick in 2019 and 2018.
She was a Top-10 finalist for 2021 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Bates was a four-year standout at Ceres High School.
The 2016 CHS grad was voted Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State and Medium Schools Player of the Year as a senior.
The two-time FloSoftball First-Team All-American was selected to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Super Elite First Team and All-State Medium Schools First Team.
Led by Bates, Ceres High collected 85 wins, claimed one Sac-Joaquin Section championship, captured three Western Athletic Conference crowns and appeared in the playoffs four times.
