Former Emporia State pitcher Diego Soto had penciled pitching for a professional team into his summer plans.
Soto finally got the call he’d been waiting for all summer this week, and on Wednesday, Soto signed with the Wichita Wingnuts.
“I’ve been looking forward to this, and I finally got it,” Soto said, “so I’ll be making the most of it.”
Soto didn’t have to wait long for his debut. After he arrived in Wichita on Wednesday and signed his contract, he was told he would pitch that night. So in the eighth inning on Wednesday night, the Wingnuts went to the former ESU closer.
Soto worked a scoreless eighth, walking the first two hitters, striking out the next and then getting an inning-ending double play. Wichita won 8-3.
“I was a little nervous, Soto said, “just because the atmosphere’s a lot different, but I’m glad the first time’s over with.”
Soto will pitch out of the bullpen for the Wingnuts and will most likely not be the closer. He has an option on his contract to pitch again next season with the Wingnuts.
Soto was Emporia State’s closer and was second in the MIAA with 12 saves. He also went 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA and led the conference with 32 appearances. In the postseason, he had three saves and yielded only two runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Soto had been pitching this summer for the Liberal B-Jays, a college team in the Jayhawk League.