Nicole “Sis” Bates generated a lifetime of memories while starring on the University of Washington softball team from 2017-21.

The 2016 Ceres High School grad returned to her college alma mater as a professional player earlier this month.

Bates and the Volts of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League played a three-game series against the Blaze, July 11-13, at Husky Softball Stadium.

She batted 3-for-9 from the plate with one RBI, one run and one walk while competing in front of sold-out crowds in Seattle.

She played flawless defense at shortstop.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words what this weekend meant to me,” Bates stated in an Instagram post. “But for now, thank you Husky Nation for one of the most magical experiences of my life.”

Bates and the Volts pulled away for an 11-6 win over the Blaze during Game 1 on July 11.

She batted 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run.

Prior to the start of the game, Bates received a loud ovation during starting lineup introductions. 

The Volts lost 3-1 to the Blaze during Game 2 on July 12.

Bates was hitless in three at-bats.

The Volts dropped the series finale, 10-2, to the Blaze on July 13.

Bates batted 0-for-2 with one walk.

Bates spoke fondly of Washington head coach Heather Tarr prior to returning to Husky Softball Stadium.

“She’s still someone that I can call,” Bates said in a video posted on AUSL’s X social media account. “She’s someone that checks in on me. She cares about us way more than just softball I appreciate that and I love her very much.”

Raised in the city of Ceres, Bates attended Carroll Elementary School, Mae Hensley Jr. High and Ceres High School before earning a softball scholarship to the University of Washington.

A three-time NCAA Division-I All-American infielder, Bates filled a major role in leading the Huskies to 222 wins, three trips to the Women’s College World Series—including one finals berth—and one Pac-12 regular-season title.

She became just the second player in Pac-12 history to earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2021, 2019 and 2018).

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 collected 320 hits in 261 career games.

She ranks first in triples (18), third in runs (227), fourth in batting average (.385) and fifth in doubles (54) in program history.

Bates also made history by becoming just the fifth Huskies player to earn NFCA All-American honors for a third time.

Bates was a Top-10 finalist for 2021 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

She was named Washington’s 2020-21 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Conference Medal recipient for Outstanding Female Student-Athlete.

She made the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention recognition in 2019.

She won the 2019 Seattle Female Sports Star of the Year award.

She was voted best shortstop on ESPN’s Greatest All-Time Softball Team via a fan poll in 2019.

Bates earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies with a 3.92 grade-point average.

A four-year standout at Ceres High School, Bates was voted 2016 Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State and Medium Schools Player of the Year. She also participated in the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) High School All-American Game.

Bates batted .571 from the plate with five homers, four triples, nine doubles, 33 RBIs, 45 runs and 14 stolen bases while striking out just five times in 113 plate appearances during her senior year with the Bulldogs. She made just one error on defense.

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.

Bates began her fifth season of pro softball with Athletes Unlimited this summer.

She’s represented the U.S. Women’s National Softball Team on the international stage in Italy, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Japan.

Bates also endorses products with a handful of companies. She has her own signature cleats with Adidas.

Bates has ascended to heights only a small percentage reach.

“It’s pretty special to be in a space where I can help the sport grow and pave the way for young women."