HIGHLIGHTS
» Game-Winning RBI Single in T7 vs Fresno Pacific (March 16, 2024)
» Game-Tying RBI Single in B9 vs Saint Martin's (Feb. 11, 2024)
» Walk-Off Single in B11 vs Chaminade (Feb. 9, 2024)
» 2023 California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Champion (CSU Monterey Bay)
» 2022 California Collegiate Athletic Association Regular Season Champion (CSU Monterey Bay)
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
» KTA Super Stores Superstar (Feb. 2024)
» NCBWA West Region Player of the Week (Feb. 6-12, 2024)
» PacWest Conference Player of the Week (Feb. 6-12, 2024)
STUDENT IN STUDENT-ATHLETE
» 2022-23 Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award (CSU Monterey Bay)
» 2023 CCAA Spring Academic Honor Roll (CSU Monterey Bay)
» 2021-22 Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award (CSU Monterey Bay)
2024 (Junior): Started first 16 games at third base before moving to first base ... Batted 3 for 4 with all hits going for two bases as part of a five-double opening weekend in a 15-6 win over Cal State LA (Feb. 4). Repeated a three-hit outing the next week with two more doubles and two RBI, including the game-winner in the sixth inning as part of a 8-3 win over Saint Martin's (Feb. 8). Bookended the scoring with a solo homer in the first and a bases-loaded walk-off hit in the 11th inning of a 4-3 win over Chaminade (Feb. 9). Provided the game-tying hit in the B9 to cap a three-run rally to set up the walk-off win an inning later (Feb. 11). Got the scoring going with a solo homer in the T6 to lead the comeback charge in a 5-3 win over Chaminade (Feb. 18). Hit 3 for 4 with three RBI, opening the scoring with a two-RBI double in the first inning and closing with the game-winning RBI single in the T7 of a 7-6 win over Fresno Pacific (March 16). Hammered a three-run homer in the T7 to close a four-RBI game in a loss to Azusa Pacific (March 20).
Selected as PacWest Conference Player of the Week and NCBWA West Region Player of the Week for Feb. 6-12.
2021-2023* (Cal State Monterey Bay): Played in 35 games with 18 starts, finishing with a .288 batting average and .933 fielding percentage. Helped the Otters claim 2022 CCAA Regular Season title and 2023 CCAA Tournament Championship.
*Student-athletes were not charged with use of a season of eligibility for the 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
BEFORE HAWAI‘I HILO
» Spent three years at California State University, Monterey Bay
» 2020 graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School (California)
» Played three seasons of varsity baseball for coach Brian Yocke
» Played club for Dub Baseball
PERSONAL
» Born August 2002 in California
» Parents: Javaneh and Art Soto
» Has a younger sister
» Career Aspirations: Graphic Designer in the Film Industry
WHY HAWAI‘I HILO
» "I have always wanted to learn more about Hawaiian culture. I am from a beach town so I am always drawn to the ocean and the tropical feeling, and having the opportunity to play baseball and embrace the Hawaiian culture was something I have dreamed of."
FAVORITES
» Hobbies: Self-Taught Pianist
» Sports Teams: San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors
» Athletes: Tim Lincecum, Patrick Willis, Klay Thompson, Buster Posey
» Movies: Star Wars, Indiana Jones
» Shows: The Office
» Musicians: Childish Gambino, Rihanna, Guns n' Roses
» Video Games: MLB The Show
MEDIA
» Soto’s love for baseball resurfaces in Hawaii (March 27, 2024) - Santa Cruz Sentinel
