Bates chips in as Team USA cruises in group play at Women’s Softball World Cup

Sis Bates played a role in Team USA’s first two wins as Taran Alvelo struggled to open group play at the Women’s Softball World Cup.

Team USA’s first two wins at the Women’s Softball World Cup in Italy looked eerily familiar to a lot of wins coach Heather Tarr has had throughout her career on Montlake with the Washington Huskies.

Although her team is now led by former Oklahoma superstar Jocelyn Alo, Tarr has still gotten some contributions from two-time first-team All-American and three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Sis Bates.

The US won their first game 5-2 over Team Canada, where Bates came in came in as a pinch hitter, drew a walk, and scored a run. Then, in their second game, a 7-0 rout of Team Italy, Bates once again came in as a pinch hitter where she recorded a single and a run scored before staying in to play shortstop.

Washington’s other alum in the World Cup struggled in her one outing, as Taran Alvelo struggled in Team Puerto Rico’s 8-0 loss to Team Japan. Through 3 1/3 innings, Alvelo let up 9 hits, 6 earned runs, and a walk as the No. 2 ranked team in the world dropped to 0-2 in group play.