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Ex-Bulldog Bates earns NFCA Division-I All-Region Team honors
Nicole enjoys memorable first season with Huskies
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Ceres High grad Nicole Bates contributed on both offense and defense during her freshman campaign with the University of Washington softball team this past spring. - photo by Photo courtesy of UW Athletics

Nicole "Sis" Bates has experienced success at every level during her softball career.

A standout on both offense and defense, the 2016 Ceres High grad/University of Washington standout was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division-I All-Region Team on May 18.
Bates earned Pacific-Region Third-Team honors.

"Nicole compares to several great freshmen we've had at Washington," Huskies head coach Heather Tarr said. "Two primarily that come to mind are Ashely Charters and Ali Aguilar. Nicole is different because she has this amazing ability to enter a room, get a sense for the people in it, and connect immediately and authentically with everyone."

Nicole started all 64 games for the 50-14 Huskies this year, with her primary position being second base.

She posted a batting average of .338 with three home runs, six triples, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs and 42 runs.

Bates collected 66 hits.
She committed just five errors.

Nicole ranked first on the team in triples, second in total hits and runs scored, fourth in doubles, fifth in RBIs and total bases, and sixth in homers, walks, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

Bates was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.

She led the conference in triples.

Nicole was also a finalist for the 2017 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Freshman of the Year award.

Sixth-seeded Washington advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division-I Women's College World Series.

The Huskies fell two wins shy of advancing to the title game.

Washington claimed Super Regional and Regional championships.

Bates helped lead 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 earned FloSoftball All-American First-Team honors and Premier Girls Fastpitch West Regional All-American Team accolades as well.

Nicole is currently a member of the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women's National Training Team.