Jedd Soto Named Head Baseball Coach at Saint Mary's
6/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 27, 2003
Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's College Director of Athletics Carl R. Clapp today announced the hiring of Jedd Soto as the head baseball coach for the Gaels. Soto was a unanimous choice of the players, coaches, administrators and the search committee, and will begin his tenure at Saint Mary's beginning on July 1, 2003. At 29 years of age, Soto becomes the youngest head coach in the West Coast Conference.
"We are very fortunate to hire someone with Jedd's ability to lead our baseball program into the future," stated Clapp. "Jedd is a person of great character and is very respected in the baseball community. He has a tremendous understanding of the game of baseball and runs an outstanding program, both on and off the field. His success is not just measured on the field, as he values both the academic and Lasallian traditions of Saint Mary's."
Soto was the inaugural head coach of the Feather River baseball program - which began in 1998 - and he transformed Golden Eagle baseball into a perennial power in California during his six years in Quincy, CA. In 2003 Soto led the Golden Eagles to a California State Final Four finish, while posting a 36-12 record. From 2000-03 Feather River reached the playoffs each year, while winning the Golden Valley Conference championship the past three seasons. Soto was named Golden Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and posted a career record of 167-85 - a .663 winning percentage - at FRC.
"I am excited to have received this opportunity to coach at Saint Mary's," stated Soto. "I'm very anxious to get underway, and feel Saint Mary's is an ideal fit for me at the Division I level. I plan to implement the same standard of excellence, both on and off the field, for the Gaels program as I did at Feather River College."
Soto produced seven First Team All-Americans, eight players drafted by Major League Baseball (five from the 2003 team), nine First Team All-State honorees, 28 First Team All-GVC selections, and one Freshman All-American. Additionally, the Golden Eagles sent 44 players to four-year institutions, including 15 athletes to Division I schools.
In 2002 his pitching staff had the lowest team earned run average (2.20) in California, out of 78 teams. Additionally, Feather River was awarded with the prestigious Statewide Pepsi Team Scholar Award in 2002 when his team earned a 3.47 GPA. His team was also a four-time (2000-03) recipient of the school's Academic Team of the Year Award. Following the 2002 season, Soto was elected Division Chair for the math, physical and life sciences instructional division at Feather River College.
Soto has been involved with the Feather River team since its inception, dating back to the field construction in 1997. The facility was transformed into what many consider California's best community college playing facility. Under Soto, more than $220,000 was raised for field improvements, including a professional lighting system, fan picnic area, outfield team flags, astro-turf areas, storage shed, and most recently, a 1,200 square foot professional grade locker room.
Before Feather River College, Soto was an assistant coach at the University of Nevada, Reno. While working under Head Coach Gary Powers, Soto assisted the team in winning the Northern Division of the Big West Conference in 1997 and an at-large bid to the Central Region II Regional playoffs.
As a player, Soto earned a full scholarship to play at Northeast Louisiana University, where he pitched under the baseball system of Head Coach Smoke Laval. His team won a total of 83 games, two Southland Conference Championships, and a bid to the South I Division Regional.
Soto's collegiate experience began at the College of Southern Idaho, where he earned a full scholarship. He had much success in junior college and was named All Region 18 Pitcher, Team Captain, and was selected Preseason All America his sophomore year. Soto's team also won two conference titles, one tri-regional, and a trip to the Junior College World Series.
Soto earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and Management, and minors in Real Estate and Insurance. He finished college with a career pitching record of 24-4 and 19 saves. Soto was born in San Dimas, California. He grew up in Reno and graduated from Reed High School, where he was an all-conference and all-state varsity letterman.
Coach Soto is a six-year associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. Additionally, he will complete a dual master's degree from the United States Sports Academy in Science and Sports Administration in July of 2003. Soto and his wife, Carly, reside in Quincy and he has three sisters and two brothers.
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