Fear the Persh: The Official Podcast of Vaquero Baseball. Keeping you updated on all things #VaqPak. Reconnecting Alumni, interviews with current players, Coaches, and Elite Baseball content.
#11 Lucas Carlisle-Santa Barbara City College/ All Conference Infielder
In this episode of Fear the Perch, host Jeff Walker sits down with returning Santa Barbara City College star infielder and Gold Glove Award winner Lucas Carlisle. Carlisle breaks down his journey from Los Gatos to SBCC, his smooth transition across the infield, and the key lessons that transformed his game from high school to junior college ball.
Key takeaways from the interview include:
The SBCC Pipeline: How strong connections and team culture drew Carlisle from Los Gatos to Santa Barbara.
Infield Versatility & Growth: The physical and mental adjustments required when shifting between third base, second base, and shortstop.
Rising to the Competition: What it takes to hit in the middle of a championship-caliber lineup and adapt to college-level pitching.
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Today's Episode is sponsored by Lilley Fitness
https://lilleyfitness.com/ (https://lilleyfitness.com/)
28 Sept 2026
#10 Brian Aguilar-Santa Barbara City/Catching Coach
Join us today on Fear the Persh Podcast, the official podcast of Vaquero Baseball. This is episode #10. Today, we have current SBCC Catching Coach and Santa Barbara Forester’s assistant, Brian Aguilar. Coach Ag’s a local standout at Lompoc High and a former CA Community College Division I and professional baseball player, and he'll talk about his journey in baseball and catching development. Coach Aguilar has also spent time Coaching at Oral Roberts and in the Rockies organization. Santa Barbara City has earned a reputation for being Catching U. over the past 15 years, sending countless Catchers to Division I and II programs and professional baseball. The Vaqueros have had 10 consecutive years with First- or Second-Team All-Conference Catchers. Sit back and enjoy this great episode with Coach Ag’s
Today's Episode is sponsored by https://lilleyfitness.com/ (https://lilleyfitness.com/)
21 Sept 2026
#9 Pat Caulfield-UCLA
Join us on Fear the Persh as we sit down today with Pat Caulfield, former SBCC alumnus and coach who went on to play at UCLA.
In this episode, Pat dives deep into his remarkable playing career journey from SBCC to UCLA and how those experiences shaped his transition into coaching. We discuss how his time at SBCC prepared him for UCLA, and what he is currently doing.
We wrap up with an electric discussion on the unique landscape of junior college baseball, tackling the real-world challenges and opportunities in player development, recruiting, and the 5-for-5 rule. This is an electric episode as only Pat Caulfield could make it. Sit back and Enjoy!
14 Sept 2026
#8 Wylan Nelson-ABCA PAD Player of the Year
Welcome back to the Fear the Persh Podcast. This is episode #8. Today, we are joined by a truly special guest, Wylan Nelson. Wylan is the reigning 2026 ABCA PAD Player of the Year, and he is coming off a monster season here at Santa Barbara City College, where he dominated as a premier two-way star. On the mound, he led our staff with electric stuff, and at the plate, he anchored the lineup with an impressive .370 batting average. Wylan continued that momentum through the summer, playing a key role for the Santa Barbara Foresters in their NBC Championship victory. We’ll discuss his high-level development, from his time playing for the Ohio Warhawks to his recent swing adjustments in the summer league. With legitimate Power 4 upside, Wylan has his sights set on transferring to a top-tier program and ultimately getting drafted. We’re going to dive into his journey, his approach to the game, and what’s next for him on the diamond. Let's get right into it.
Thank you to today's Sponsor Lilley Fitness: https://lilleyfitness.com/ (https://lilleyfitness.com/)
7 Sept 2026
#7 Jimmy Hill-Hartnell College
Join us on Fear the Persh as we sit down today with Jimmy Hill, a true Vaquero legend and current assistant coach at Hartnell College. Jimmy was the 2015 WSC North Conference MVP and a JC All-American during his dominant tenure at Santa Barbara City College before moving on to play at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
In this episode, Jimmy dives deep into his remarkable playing career journey from SBCC to LMU and how those experiences shaped his transition into coaching. We discuss Hartnell's historic recent season, where his squad shattered multiple offensive school records and made a deep playoff run that turned heads across the state.
Jimmy also pulls back the curtain on his entrepreneurial side as the co-founder of Blurrd Goods, a sporting goods company known for creating bold golf essentials like gloves and bags. We wrap up with an electric discussion on the unique landscape of junior college baseball, tackling the real-world challenges and opportunities in player development, recruiting, and the 5-for-5 rule. This is an electric episode as only the playmaker, James Lawrence Hill III, could make it. Sit back and Enjoy!
31 Aug 2026
#6 Trevor Kester-Johnson-Purdue University
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.
24 Aug 2026
#5 DJ Ghiorso-Loyola Marymount University
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/ (https://lilleyfitness.com/)
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/ (https://lilleyfitness.com/)
10 Aug 2026
#3 David Yamane-Assistant Baseball Coach Santa Barbara City College
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 Aug 2026
#2 Matt Bergevin-Texas A&M
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.
30 Jul 2026
#1 Nick Putnam-Pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization
Fear the Persh: Episode #1 Nick Putnman, Pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization, Former #VaqPak Alumni.
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