Sis Bates Makes History in Portland Cascade's Inaugural Game

In a momentous debut for the Portland Cascade, former Washington Huskies standout Sis Bates made an impressive mark on the franchise's history. During the inaugural game of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, Bates became the first player to record a hit for the Cascade, achieving this milestone with a single down the left field line in the third inning.

Bates not only secured the first hit but also crossed home plate as the franchise's first run. Following her single, center fielder Kendra Falby drove a double into the left-center gap, putting the Cascade ahead 1-0. Despite Bates’ strong performance, which included a total of two hits in three at-bats—making her the first player in Cascade history to achieve a multi-hit game—the team ultimately fell short, losing 4-1 to the Carolina Blaze.

In the lead-up to this season, Bates had a noteworthy run with the Texas Volts in 2025, where she earned accolades as a three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time First Team All-American during her time with the Huskies. Last season, she achieved a .229 batting average with a .308 on-base percentage. However, after the Volts opted not to renew her contract, Bates was selected by Portland in the third round of the 2026 Allocation draft as the league expanded to six teams.

The Cascade and the Blaze are set to clash again on Wednesday, June 10, at 5:00 p.m. PT as both teams look to build on their early season performances.