The Washington Huskies may have lost to Alabama and seen their season come to an end, but the future is bright in Seattle because the pipeline of talented recruits is so strong.

One of those is a junior who we rate as one of the ten best in her class and today you’re going to meet her on and off the field!

Name: NICOLE BATES
Grad Year: 2016
Pos: shortstop/second base/third base
High School: Ceres (Calif.)
GPA:
Club: Firecrackers-Rico
Stats: (as of May 13): batting average of .533 (56-for-105) with 56 hits, 48 runs, 27 RBI, 14 doubles, seven triples, only two strikeouts, .571 OBP, 1.463 OPS and 12-for-13 steals
Honors: No. 10 on the 2016 Hot 100 list; junior: MVP of the WAC Conference and 1^st Team All-District, 1^st Team All-WAC in basketball; freshman: 1^st Team All-WAC Conference in softball and basketball; attended two OnDeck NorCal Jamboree camps and a National Camp; finished 5^th at PGF Nationals with Nor Cal Firecrackers-Basidon 14U
Height: 5-foot-4
College: Washington


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FullCountSoftball.com: It amazing that dedicated players like you will travel 300 miles to play for a club team like the Firecrackers-Rico team. Describe how that works, how often do you make the trip, where do you stay and what do you do during those long rides to keep from going crazy?
Nicole Bates: Well usually my dad and I drive down there together just about every weekend. Last year was my first year playing on Firecrackers-Rico, so we stayed in hotels for the most part. This year, though, we are staying with teammates and former teammates for most of our trips. On the rides down there I try and stay awake with my dad, which doesn’t always happen because I eventually fall asleep on the trips throughout the night. The rides back I try to knock out any leftover homework and then help out with the drive.


FCS.com: You’re a triple threat lefty slapper on the fields and a standout in hoops who led your conference with 18.4 points per game. Is basketball at UDUB a possibility or are you softball all the way?
NB: Softball is definitely my main focus along with education at UDUB; basketball has never really been an option at the collegiate level. I play for fun and to keep in shape for softball.

FCS.com: Talk about basketball… what would you say the main difference between it and softball is… is it conditioning (the running), mentally different, different physical skills needed (explosive quickness, starting and stopping), etc.?
NB: Softball is more of a mental game and basketball seems to be more physical. Don’t get me wrong, softball is physical but not quite as much as basketball. Basketball is also a ton of conditioning whereas softball is more fundamental.

FCS.com: Do you remember a moment in your softball career when you thought, “I love this sport and I want to take it as far as I can?” And when you knew you could?
NB: I knew that I loved softball and wanted to take it as far as I could when I joined my first travel team. We were a family and competed as a family.

FCS.com: You’ve been a Husky fan since they won the National Championship in 2009… what was it about that team that made you fell in love with the school?
NB: Well it was the first time that I really knew that softball was an option after high school and Washington was one of the first teams that I watched growing up. The team just seemed to be very competitive and played as a unit and I just remembered so badly wanting to be a part of it.

FCS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them: was it exciting, nerve-wracking, a relief, jubilation… what was it like and what was going through your mind?
NB: It was an extremely exciting moment when I was able to verbally commit to the school of my dreams. I just remember being so scared to talk on the phone with Coach (Heather) Tarr and after getting to know her, it wasn’t so bad after all. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

FCS.com: Did you do your “due diligence” in visiting a lot of other schools and campuses or was it a case of when Washington offered it was over at that point?
NB: Washington was definitely my dream school, so when an offer was made I had no doubt in my mind.

FCS.com: Washington is picking up some great recruits ahead of you like pitcher Taran Alvelo and infielder Tannon Snow… do you keep in touch with fellow Husky recruits at all? If so, who are some you’ve become friends with?
NB: Coach Tarr does a really great job of having recruits bond at camps. I played with Alyssa Pinto on Baisdon Firecrackers so we have maintained a great friendship. Taylor VanZee was also a teammate of mine last year and her and I became really close.

FCS.com: is it still surreal to think you know where you’re going to college and that you’re playing at the highest level of competition possible?
NB: It is pretty crazy to think that I will be playing the game I love with the people I love at the highest level possible. Sometimes I still can’t believe it.

FCS.com: You’ve accomplished so much and still have a year to go in high school… when you look back on your career, what’s the one memory that first comes to mind?
NB: The one memory that first comes to mind would have to be when my brother, Jimmy, and I received the Bulldog award (top male and female athlete of the year) together last year. It was the first time in Ceres High history that siblings received it the same year and was really special to share the moment with my brother.

 

Quick Hitters (short answers)

 

Fill in the blank… My favorite part of being an athlete is: ___________________
… competing.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Physical mistakes happen, but mental mistakes are unacceptable.

Favorite place to buy clothes:
Kohls.

What’s the next thing you’re going to buy that you absolutely don’t need?
Birkenstocks.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I eat all the time!

Favorite actor/actress:
Ryan Gosling.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
I tend to do the same thing before getting in the box every pitch. I also wear the same hair band every game.

Favorite ice cream?
Cookies and cream.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Watching cartoons with my younger sister.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Super strength.

Best movie ever and movie you hated:
Favorite is Gone Girl; worst movie is Reef.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandfather.

What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a veterinarian.

Nickname(s):
“Sis.”

What’s one thing you won’t be caught dead doing?
Petting a cat (I’m allergic).

What is your hometown/area best known for and what makes you proud to say you’re from there?
The San Joaquin valley is most known for agriculture. I am proud to say I’m from Ceres, California because it is where my parents grew up.