Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jeff Walker (2nd year)

Office Phone: 805-965-0581 x2273
Fax: 805-884-1175
E-mail: jmwalker1@sbcc.edu

Jeff came to SBCC in 2012 from Loyola Marymount, where he earned all-conference honors and was an assistant coach for three years. In 2009, he was the head coach of the Peninsula Oilers in the prestigious Alaska Summer League in 2009. He previously spent two years as an assistant coach at Ohlone College in Fremont. In his time at Ohlone, the Renegades led the state in stolen bases, qualified for the state playoffs and were one of the top hitting clubs in California.

In his first year with the Vaqueros, Walker led his club to a share of the WSC North title and a spot in the Southern Cal Regional. He was named WSC North Coach of the Year.

Jeff was the baseball coach and athletic director at Saratoga High for five years (2002-06). In 2005, he was named Central Coast Section Athletic Director of the Year after overseeing the fundraising and development of the school's athletic fields. He also worked as a scout for the Colorado Rockies and spent four summers coaching in NCAA-sanctioned leagues. He’s coached more than 60 players who have been drafted or signed by professional baseball teams.

Walker was an all-section outfielder at St. Francis High in Mountain View. He went on to earn all-state honors at Canada College in Redwood City and still holds the record for homers in a season (18). His Canada teams won two conference titles and reached the State Final Four in 1998. He played two years for Loyola Marymount, earning all-conference honors and helping the Lions capture a WCC title in 2000. Walker got his B.A. from Loyola Marymount in history and has Master’s degrees in Education and Exercise Science.

Pitching Coach Justin Aspegren (6th year)

SBCC 2004-2005, UCSB 2006-2007
Email: jlaspegren@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Justin graduated from UCSB where he was part of the Gauchos pitching staff for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He was a two-year starter as a starting pitcher and utility player at SBCC and helped lead the 2005 squad to the playoffs for the first time since 1978. Justin was part of a pitching staff that led the State in ERA in 2005. He compiled 13 wins over two years at SBCC while earning All-Conference honors twice.

Justin will handle the pitching staff and assist with recruiting. He's coached three WSC Pitchers of the Year --. Bryce Uhrig (2008), Zach Edgington (2010) and Chris Joyce (2011). Joyce was the Southern Cal Pitcher of the Year and the Cincinnati Reds chose him in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Kylin Turnbull, a left-hander on the 2011 WSC Championship squad, was a fourth-round pick of the Washington Nationals. The Vaqueros had one of the lowest ERAs in the State last season.

A native of Napa, Aspegren attended Justin-Siena High School.

Chris Lasaca

Chris comes to the Vaqueros from Cal State Monterey Bay, where he was as an assistant who coached third base. At SBCC, he'll work with the hitters and infielders.

Lasaca started his baseball career as a three-time letterman at James Lick High from 1979 to 1983. He then attended Mission Community College from 1983 to 1985 and was the 1985 Defensive Player of the Year. After Mission, he transferred to San Jose State and played as a shortstop and second baseman for two years. While at San Jose he received his bachelor’s in Sports Recreation. He later received his master’s in Education in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University. Chris is the founder of Hardnocks Baseball where he ran baseball camps, clinics, seminars and travel ball. In his 22 years of coaching he has been to Mission Community College, De Anza College and San Jose State.

Ryan Palermo

Ryan will help out with the infielders and defense. He played third base at UCSB, earning honorable mention All-Big West honors in his junior year in 2011. He hit .278 with 25 RBIs and batted .325 in Big West play.

At Junipero Serra High, in San Mateo, he batted .480 with 14 home runs, 56 RBI, and 11 stolen bases for the Padres...Holds school records for home runs, RBI, and total bases. Named First Team All-State, First Team All-West Catholic Athletic League, and First Team All-Metro in both his senior and junior years. He was MVP of the team as a senior, leading his team to a West Catholic Athletic League championship in his senior and junior years. As a junior, he hit .460 with 16 doubles, five home runs and 40 RBI.

Jeremy Peterson

A former pitcher for SBCC and UCSB, Jeremy will help out with the pitching staff and run the bullpen. He played two years for the Vaqueros under Teddy Warrecker, pitching 41 innings. In a 2009 game, he went 8 innings, gave up just one run and struck out 13.

At Helix Charter High in La Mesa, he was a four-year letter winner for head coach Cole Holland and two-time All-Conference player in 2004-05. He led the county in doubles in 2005 with 23. He played on the JV basketball team and also during his four years at Helix, was honored on the Union Tribune All-Academic Team.