Entering the 2021 season, Bates has played and started in 68 games. She has 91 hits in 230 at bats for a .396 batting average. Bates has scored 75 runs, hit 17 doubles, seven triples, and three home runs. She has driven in 44 runs, walked 31 times, tallied 17 stolen bases, has a .464 on base percentage, and a .570 slugging percentage.
2020: Bates was named to the KCAC Preseason Softball Team. She played and started in 21 games. Bates had 31 hits in 73 at bats for a .425 batting average. She scored 21 runs, hit seven doubles and one triple. Bates has driven in 16 runs, walked six times, stole eight bases, hit one sacrifice fly and one sacrifice bunt, had a .463 on base percentage, and a .548 slugging percentage. She was ranked 33rd in the NAIA in total hits (31) and 39th in total runs scored (21).
2019: Bates played and started in 47 games, earning Second Team All-KCAC honors. She had 60 hits in 157 at bats for a .382 batting average. Bates scored 54 runs, hit 10 doubles, six triples, and three home runs. She drove in 28 runs, walked 25 times, had nine stolen bases, an on base percentage of .464 and a .580 slugging percentage. She finished the season ranked 21st in the NAIA in total triples (6), 29th in runs scored per game (1.1), 30th in triples per game (0.12), and 32nd in total runs scored (54).
Johnson County Community College: Bates earned two letters on the softball diamond for the Cavaliers. She helped JCCC to a NJCAA District D Championship and a seventh place finish at nationals in 2018. Bates was named JCCC Female Athlete of the Year and Team MVP. She earned First Team All-Conference and All-Region. Bates was a 2018 NJCAA First Team All-American selection. As a freshman, she was a two-time Kansas Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week and helped JCCC to a second place finish. Bates helped lead the Cavaliers to a NJCAA District D Championship and a fifth place finish at nationals. She was named KJCCC Freshman Player of the Year, and earned First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors. Bates was named a NJCAA First Team All-American.
High School: Bates lettered in softball at Olathe South High School. She helped the Falcons to two, Kansas State Championships and three appearances in the Kansas State Tournament. Bates was a Second Team All-KVL Pitcher in 2013. She earned First Team All-State and All-Region, was named Newcomer of the Year and helped Olathe South to a fifth place finish at state in 2014. In 2015, she earned First Team All-State and All-Region. She helped the Falcons to a Sunflower League Championship, a 6A Regional Championship, and a State Championship in both 2015 and 2016.
Personal: Daughter of Scott and Coy Bates ... sports management major.
