In a year of unprecedented events, one thing was a certainty each day. Cerritos College softball player Itzel Soto (Long Beach Millikan HS) was going to Nancy Kelly Field with an approach and a purpose. Although the season was canceled just 17 games into the year, Soto was on a pace to finish in the top five in school history in all of the major offensive categories. Soto caught the eye of numerous colleges and made her decision to sign with Division II Fort Lewis (CO) College and will have three seasons left to play.
Although Soto doesn't qualify with the minimum plate appearances to make the Falcons record book, she was on her way to being just the fourth player to bat over .500 on the year. Soto went 27-for-53 (.509) from the plate with six doubles, three triples, five home runs, 14 RBI, 11 walks and scored 23 runs, all which led the team. She was also a much-improved defensive player and recorded a .958 fielding percentage with just one error in the outfield.
With student-athletes given their seasons back due to the coronavirus pandemic, Falcon head coach Kodee Murray still felt it was in Soto's best interest to decide on which scholarship offer to accept.
"I was very much in favor of her moving on, and with her lofty life goals, three years of eligibility will take her deep into her education," stated Murray. "I will miss 'SOTO', as we all call her, but I could not be more proud and happy for her. Itzel came to Cerritos very raw. She knew the concepts of the game and the basic rules, but did not know them at the speed that the game was now moving. She worked harder than any player that has ever gone through the program in the past 20 years."
"Words cannot describe how much playing for Cerritos College has helped me to improve to the level that I am at now," said Soto. "I have never been in a program that has positively pushed as much as the Cerritos College softball team. I came into the program shy, behind in the game, and with a lack of confidence. After playing for only a mere one and a half seasons, I have become the outspoken, confident player that I am now. They saw more in me than I did and were willing to do whatever it took to get it out of me. Being a part of the team has been one of the best decisions of my life and cannot thank all of my coaches enough."
In the 17 games this season, Soto had 10 multiple-hit games, which included a 10-game hitting streak that was snapped on the eventual final game of the season. During that 10-game stretch, Soto had a four-hit game against Compton College, as well as three-hit games against both Long Beach City College and Pasadena City College. Additionally, four of her home runs came in a five-game stretch.
Soto will be joining a Skyhawks team that went 11-11 before the season came to an end. They are members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and will be looking for their first winning season since 2012 when they're back on the field in 2021.
"I was recommended to Fort Lewis by my coaches at Cerritos," stated Soto. "Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to visit the school, but just solely on the way the coach and I connected, I knew it was the school for me. I chose Fort Lewis College because of the combination of the softball program, the beautiful area, it's closer to home, the biology program, the great conversations I had with their coach, and also for the scholarship that will be making my schooling very affordable."
"Many colleges were recruiting me," added Soto. "The other school that I was considering with Fort Lewis was very similar. I clicked with the coach the same way, (they) offered the same amount of scholarship funds, and had excellent biology and softball programs, as well. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately I loved Fort Lewis College and decided to go there. There was just something that felt right about it and I couldn't ignore it."
After a freshman season where Soto was a 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection, batted .378 with 26 RBI and had 45 hits, she was looking forward to a complete season to display the improvements that were made in the off-season. But all were disappointed when the decision came down to end the season.
But Soto had other concerns when it came the the decision. "I was shocked to find out that my season was going to be canceled," said Soto. "All I could think of was what could've been accomplished this season if we continued to play. We had a very talented team, and all we needed was a turnaround. It's truly a shame. But if staying home is the price to pay to keep people like my grandparents safe, I accept it."
That thought process didn't come as any surprise to Murray, who said, "Itzel turned into a leader, a player that always thinks of the TEAM first. She has the ability to turn a game around with one swing of the bat. She competes both in the classroom and on the field."
The biology major, who aspires to be a veterinarian, was named to the Academic All-State Team this year and has a 3.8 GPA. The approach she took on the field carried over into the classroom and it resulted in a scholarship that will allow her to continue on both paths.
Although her time with the Falcons may be over, the name 'Soto' will be part of the 2021 team.
"It's hard to choose what my best memories playing for the Falcons are," said Soto. "The whole thing was unforgettable. I'll never forget them and will always be back to visit, especially when my sister (Patricia) is going to be playing for Cerritos next year as a freshman."
