Pepperdine University Athletics

MICHIGAN: Redshirted in 2025.

CLUB: Played for the SoCal Giants in 2023-24 ... Had a .444 batting average with the Premier SoCal Scout Team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Westlake High School, located in Westlake, Calif., in 2024 ... Was a 2024 Perfect Game Preseason All-American, a Tyler Skaggs Foundation All-Star Selection and made the Acorn All-Star Team ... Was a 2023 CIF State Champion and a 2024 Marmonte League champion ... Ranked second in home runs in the Marmonte League ... Also attended Oaks Christian School, located in Thousand Oaks, Calif., from 2020-22

PERSONAL: Plans on majoring in finance ... Son of Chris Backus and Miro Sorvino ... Has three siblings: Mattea, Holden and Lucia ... Godfather, Barry Zito, was the 2002 Cy Young winner, a three-time All-Star and had a 15-year MLB career with the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants ... Career goal is to pursue a career in baseball and finance, specifically with Ventura Capital, while growing his own social media marketing business, B2 Media ... Chose Pepperdine because "I believe it provides the best opportunity for myself to achieve my goals athletically, academically and spiritually."

FAVORITES: Enjoys swimming, drawing, DJing and thrifting outside of playing baseball ... Favorites include Ryan Braun (pro baseball player), Tom Brady (pro athlete), the New York Yankees (pro baseball team), the Los Angeles Lakers (pro sports team), The Alchemist (book), Interstellar (movie), Breaking Bad (TV show), Kaytranada (music artist) and basketball (sport besides baseball) ... Favorite part about baseball is "I love the chase. I love achievement and feeling like I'm part of something bigger than myself. I like putting in the work with your team and seeing it pay off in the season."