A native of Tujunga, California, Bautista played the last two seasons at NCAA Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills. Last season he averaged 72.4 strokes per round in 29 total rounds, and individually qualified for the NCAA Division II Regionals. He had four rounds under 70 during the year, including a season-low 67 at the 2023 HPU Sharks Shootout on October 24.

The 2024 PING All-Region honoree was the individual medalist at the HPU Sharks Shootout, shooting a three-round score of 207 with rounds of 68, 72, and 67. He had seven top-25 finishes in 10 total events. He had an individual ranking of 130 by the college golf scoreboard.

As a freshman he had a scoring average of 75.8, with two rounds under 70, and a season-low of 68 at the Southwest Air HPU Shark Shootout. He had a trio of top-25 finishes, with his season-best coming in his collegiate opener at the SMU Bishop Men's Invitational where he tied for 18th with a two-round 146.