Fear the Persh

#6 Trevor Kester-Johnson-Purdue University

Jeff Walker — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In episode #6, we’re thrilled to have a special guest joining us: Vaquero alumnus and current Purdue University left-handed pitcher, Trevor Kester-Johnson.

Trevor’s path to high-level Division I baseball is a remarkable story of resilience. After navigating significant injury setbacks, he found his stride here at SBCC before making the jump to the Big 10. Today, he’ll be taking us through that journey—reflecting on his time at Pershing Park, the challenges of transferring from a junior college, and what it’s like to compete on the biggest stages in college baseball. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand what it truly takes to overcome adversity, keep your goals high, and bet on yourself.

#5 DJ Ghiorso-Loyola Marymount University

Jeff Walker — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we’re joined by Vaquero alumnus and former Conference MVP, DJ Ghiorso. From his high school days in San Mateo to mastering the JUCO grind at Pershing Park and making the jump to Division I baseball at LMU, DJ pulls back the curtain on the real journey of a student-athlete. We’re diving into team culture, the recruitment process, and how SBCC prepares you for the next level.

Thank you to today's Sponsor Lilley Fitness. Head to https://lilleyfitness.com/

#4 Aidan Wirshing-Davidson College/ Kenosha Kingfish

Jeff Walker — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Join us on Fear the Persh as we sit down with Aidan Wirshing, a dedicated coach making his mark on the baseball landscape. Aidan’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance and development, spanning from his playing days at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), Student manager at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), and grad assistant at Gardner-Webb University, Director of player development to a thriving career in College Summer league baseball in the Cape and Northwoods league. This episode, we dive into Aidan’s transition from player to coach, reflecting on his time at SBCC and his current role on staff at Davidson College. We also explore his leadership experiences in the Northwoods League, where he has served as an Assistant for the Waterloo Bucks and Field Manager the Kenosha Kingfish, with a stop in the Cape for the Orleans Firebirds in between. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the coaching philosophy, player development strategies, and the grit required to navigate the college baseball world at every level.

Thank you to today's sponsor Lilley Fitness!

Head to https://lilleyfitness.com/

#3 David Yamane-Assistant Baseball Coach Santa Barbara City College

Jeff Walker — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In episode #3 of the Fear the Persh podcast, host Jeff Walker, Head Baseball Coach at Santa Barbara City College, sits down with Associate Head Coach David Yamane for an in-depth conversation on the art and science of collegiate coaching. Throughout this episode, Coach Yamane reflects on his professional journey, discussing the valuable experiences he gained across both Junior College and Division I levels and how those diverse stops shaped his current approach to the game.The discussion explores Coach Yamane’s core coaching philosophy, including his specialized expertise in mental skills, sports performance, and the development of infielders, outfielders, and pitchers. Listeners will gain insight into his process for evaluating incoming players, his strategies for balancing demanding standards with strong player-coach relationships, and the essential life skills he aims to instill in every student-athlete.Beyond the technical aspects of the game, Coach Yamane discusses what makes the SBCC Vaquero program unique, detailing the team's identity, the vision for its future, and the specific qualities he seeks when recruiting. Whether you are a coach looking for new development strategies, a player aiming to reach the next level, or a fan of the Vaqueros, this episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication and strategy required to build a winning program at the Junior College level.

#2 Matt Bergevin-Texas A&M

Jeff Walker — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In today's, Episode of the Fear the Persh Podcast, we have a special guest Matt Bergevin joining us, Vaquero alumnus, who after his time at Santa Barbara City College, played both at Fairfield University in Connecticut, and then Transferred to Texas A&M in College Station Texas. Matt will be talking about his his time at Santa Barbara City College, and his experience playing high level Division I baseball after transferring from Junior College. Matt came to SBCC during Covid. This is an awesome episode that will highlight not only what it is like betting on yourself, but what it is like playing high level Division I baseball.

In this episode of Fear the Persh, we sit down with Vaquero baseball alumnus Matt Bergevin for an in-depth look at what it truly takes to "bet on yourself" in the world of college baseball. Matt joins us to share his unique journey, starting at Santa Barbara City College during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating the path to high-level Division I baseball at both Fairfield University and Texas A&M. Whether you’re a current student-athlete looking to understand the recruiting process, a Vaquero fan interested in the team culture, or simply someone who loves a story about resilience and athletic development, this episode delivers. Matt breaks down the realities of transferring from Junior College to the D-I stage, the importance of team culture, and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, we cover:

Life at the Persh: A look back at the 2021 season, team culture, and the development that happens inside the clubhouse.
The D-I Grind: How SBCC prepared Matt for his time at Fairfield University and Texas A&M.
Navigating Recruitment: Actionable advice for players currently trying to make the leap to the next level.
Lightning Round: Fun insights into Matt’s time in Santa Barbara and his favorite moments as a Vaquero.

Join us as we catch up with one of our own and celebrate the journey of a true Vaquero. Follow & Support: Don't forget to subscribe to Fear the Persh for more alumni spotlights, player, and elite baseball content.

#1 Nick Putnam-Pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization

Jeff Walker — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:47 GMT

Welcome back to Fear the Persh, the official podcast of Santa Barbara City College Vaquero Baseball! We are kicking things off with a bang in Episode 1. Today, we’re joined by a very special Vaquero alumnus, Nick Putnam. From his days at UCSB to his standout time here at City College, Nick’s journey has led him all the way to the professional ranks as a pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. In this episode, Nick opens up about the power of perseverance and the importance of carving out your own unique path to achieve your dreams in this game. Get ready for an inspiring conversation—this is one you won’t want to miss!