A pair of outfielders have made their decisions on their four-year commitments, as Evan Saito (Torrance HS) has signed with Cal State Northridge, while Isaiah Rios (St. John Bosco HS) will be transferring to Azusa Pacific University. The pair increase the number of Cerritos College baseball players who are moving on to five, as they join pitchers Noah Andrunas (Saint Louis University), Holden Hungerford (Chaminade University) and Derek Valdez (University of Hawai'i and Manoa).

Saito, who was named 1st Team All-South Coast Conference, led the team with a .363 batting average while recording 13 doubles, one triple and two home runs, while he also drove in 34 runs. A threat on the basepath, he also paced the Falcons with 15 stolen bases. Saito batted .409 during conference play. He was used primarily as a pinch-runner his freshman season, but made dramatic improvements in the off-season and earned a staring role. 

He started the season with three straight multi-hit games and finished the year with multiple hits in 19 games, as well as ending his Falcons career riding a 10-game hitting streak. Saito went 4-for-5 with four runs scored in a 32-2 win over Compton College and had five other games where he slapped out three hits. He also batted .389 in the four postseason games for Cerritos this season.

As for Rios (pictured, left), he turned a slow fall season and start to the year into a productive one. He ended the year hitting .321 with eight doubles, four triple and three home runs, while he drove in 19 runs. Used as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement through the first 22 games, Rios came on strong when inserted into the starting lineup. He had just two starts in the first 22 games, but opened with an eight-game hitting streak (18-for-34, eight RBI) and never left the starting lineup the remainder of the season.

In one of his spot-starts, Rios went 4-for-6 with three doubles against Compton College and also had a four-hit game against West Los Angeles College. He ended the year with nine multi-hit games.

Saito will be joining a Matadors team that went 15-34 last season and will be looked upon to add depth to their outfield. Rios joins a Cougars team that posted a 22-28 record and included former Falcon David Hays. Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jerry Pena is another former Cerritos College player who suited up for the Falcons from 2007-08.