University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
2026 Softball Roster
Jersey Number 21
Lillian Soto
- Position:
- Infielder
- Height:
- 5-9
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Ruston, La.
- High School:
- Cedar Creek School
Sun Belt Conference Commisioner's List (2026)
Sun Belt Conference Commisioner's List (2025)
Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll (2024)
2026 (Sophomore)
Delivered the first home runs of her collegiate career, twice in a pinch-hit situation ... totaled three home runs out of the five total hits recorded ... produced eight RBI over 23 plate appearances ... appeared in 18 games and made two starts ... pinch hit home run on Feb. 24 vs. Northern Iowa marked her first collegiate base hit and RBI ... recorded a career-high three RBI in a start vs. Abilene Christian at the OU Okana Invitational (Mar. 8), all coming on a home run launched in the seventh inning that capped off the game's scoring ... continued clutch pinch hit performances with a two-run home run on Mar. 21 vs. Texas State ... had additional pinch hit opportunities when a power bat was needed the following week in midweek game with McNeese and weekend series at ULM ... received first career start in Sun Belt play on Apr. 2 vs. Troy ... delivered the fourth hit of the season in a pinch-hit situation during the Coastal Carolina series opener (Apr. 17).
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2025 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 13 games, the first action as a collegiate athlete ... made official collegiate debut with a pinch hit at bat on Feb. 22 vs. Kansas City ... drew three walks and was hit by pitch once over 15 plate appearances throughout the season ... received first-ever collegiate start on April 8, serving as designated player in her homecoming trip to Ruston to face LA Tech.
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the season, taking a redshirt.
High School
Competed as an infielder, playing first and third base, for Cedar Creek School in Ruston, Louisiana ... as a junior, produced a .385 average and turned in eight doubles, 10 home runs and 39 RBI over 78 at bats, earning the team's Offensive Award and her very first spot on the all-district first team ... followed up with a .414 average and 1.034 slugging percentage while producing 12 RBI over 29 at bats for Baton Rouge-based D1Vision 18U Nationals in the travel ball season ... started competing at the high school level in seventh grade, debuting with a .360 average, seven doubles a pair of home runs and 18 RBI ... posted another .360-plus average (.389) and double-figure RBI total (19) over 83 at bats in her eighth grade year ... both years claimed Cedar Creek's Rising Star award and was a second team all-district selection ... in the COVID-limited 2020 season, she was off to a .483 start over 29 at bats prior to the shutdown ... the 2022 season production marked a triumphant return to the diamond after missing the entire 2021 calendar with a knee injury.
Personal
Born June 4, 2005 in Lexington, Ky. ... daughter of T.J, and Brittany Soto ... has one brother, Hunter ... father, T.J., played collegiate baseball at Louisiana Tech from 1997-2000 where he set the Bulldogs and Sun Belt Conference career record for home runs (72) and also played in the Class AA minor league ranks for the Houston Astros from 2000-04 ... member of the National Honor Society ... was a Heisman High School Scholarship Winner, A/B honor roll all four years of high school, graduated with a 3.7-plus GPA and was an academic all-district honoree in both basketball and softball ... line of relatives who competed in the athletic realm includes: Ashley Barnes-Randolph (aunt), Ohio State Swimming (2001-2005); Greg Randolph (uncle), Ohio State Men's Volleyball (2001-2004); Lyndsay Barnes-Maher (aunt), Miami University Swimming (1999-2002); and Tori Soto-Brister (aunt), Louisiana Tech Cheerleading (2003-2007) ... is a nursing major ... aspires to be a nurse anesthetist.
Sun Belt Conference Commisioner's List (2025)
Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll (2024)
2026 (Sophomore)
Delivered the first home runs of her collegiate career, twice in a pinch-hit situation ... totaled three home runs out of the five total hits recorded ... produced eight RBI over 23 plate appearances ... appeared in 18 games and made two starts ... pinch hit home run on Feb. 24 vs. Northern Iowa marked her first collegiate base hit and RBI ... recorded a career-high three RBI in a start vs. Abilene Christian at the OU Okana Invitational (Mar. 8), all coming on a home run launched in the seventh inning that capped off the game's scoring ... continued clutch pinch hit performances with a two-run home run on Mar. 21 vs. Texas State ... had additional pinch hit opportunities when a power bat was needed the following week in midweek game with McNeese and weekend series at ULM ... received first career start in Sun Belt play on Apr. 2 vs. Troy ... delivered the fourth hit of the season in a pinch-hit situation during the Coastal Carolina series opener (Apr. 17).
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2025 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 13 games, the first action as a collegiate athlete ... made official collegiate debut with a pinch hit at bat on Feb. 22 vs. Kansas City ... drew three walks and was hit by pitch once over 15 plate appearances throughout the season ... received first-ever collegiate start on April 8, serving as designated player in her homecoming trip to Ruston to face LA Tech.
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the season, taking a redshirt.
High School
Competed as an infielder, playing first and third base, for Cedar Creek School in Ruston, Louisiana ... as a junior, produced a .385 average and turned in eight doubles, 10 home runs and 39 RBI over 78 at bats, earning the team's Offensive Award and her very first spot on the all-district first team ... followed up with a .414 average and 1.034 slugging percentage while producing 12 RBI over 29 at bats for Baton Rouge-based D1Vision 18U Nationals in the travel ball season ... started competing at the high school level in seventh grade, debuting with a .360 average, seven doubles a pair of home runs and 18 RBI ... posted another .360-plus average (.389) and double-figure RBI total (19) over 83 at bats in her eighth grade year ... both years claimed Cedar Creek's Rising Star award and was a second team all-district selection ... in the COVID-limited 2020 season, she was off to a .483 start over 29 at bats prior to the shutdown ... the 2022 season production marked a triumphant return to the diamond after missing the entire 2021 calendar with a knee injury.
Personal
Born June 4, 2005 in Lexington, Ky. ... daughter of T.J, and Brittany Soto ... has one brother, Hunter ... father, T.J., played collegiate baseball at Louisiana Tech from 1997-2000 where he set the Bulldogs and Sun Belt Conference career record for home runs (72) and also played in the Class AA minor league ranks for the Houston Astros from 2000-04 ... member of the National Honor Society ... was a Heisman High School Scholarship Winner, A/B honor roll all four years of high school, graduated with a 3.7-plus GPA and was an academic all-district honoree in both basketball and softball ... line of relatives who competed in the athletic realm includes: Ashley Barnes-Randolph (aunt), Ohio State Swimming (2001-2005); Greg Randolph (uncle), Ohio State Men's Volleyball (2001-2004); Lyndsay Barnes-Maher (aunt), Miami University Swimming (1999-2002); and Tori Soto-Brister (aunt), Louisiana Tech Cheerleading (2003-2007) ... is a nursing major ... aspires to be a nurse anesthetist.
Monday, May 04
Monday, April 27
Monday, April 20
Monday, April 13
