1544 Miles To Omaha

This episode of the 1544 Miles to Omaha Podcast features a one-on-one sit down interview with the sixth head baseball coach in Cal State Fullerton's Division 1 history, Jason Dietrich. We spoke to Coach Dietrich briefly after his introductory press conference in July and you can hear his comments by going back to Episode 40 that was published on July 1st. Coach Dietrich was also a guest on the "Fram and Friends" podcast hosted by Cal State Fullerton President Fram Virjee in September. We would highly recommend listening to that one to gain more knowledge about the man that will be leading the Titan Baseball program this coming season and into the future.In this interview, we will get to know Coach Dietrich more in depth about his coaching philosophy, which coaches influenced him the most as an assistant coach and what aspects of those coaches will he take into being a head coach. Highlights include:

Guest is assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Belovsky who most recently served as the West Coast Regional Supervisor for the Milwaukee Brewers. As a college baseball player, Belovsky started at Cypress College and eventually would go to Texas Tech and the University of Kansas. He played professionally mainly within the Boston Red Sox organization and advanced to play for the Trenton Thunder, the Red Sox Double-A affiliate.Belovsky got his coaching start at Cypress College in 2001 where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He moved over to Orange Coast College where he filled the same role as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator from 2002-2006. In 2005, he also served as the associate head coach at OCC. Josh made the jump to professional scouting in 2006 with the Colorado Rockies organization as an associate scout before joining the Brewers as the Southern California and Hawaii area scout. In 2016 he was named the Brewers West Coast Regional Supervisor.Belovsky was named

Neil Walton joins the show as an assistant coach for Cal State Fullerton Baseball after being the first coach announced to join Jason Dietrich's staff. This is Walton's third stint on campus starting his coaching career at Fullerton as a Graduate Manager for the 2013 Titans before joining Andrew Checkett's staff at UC Santa Barbara in 2014. Walton was in Santa Barbara for four years before returning to Cal State Fullerton in the volunteer assistant role in 2018 and 2019. He most recently served as hitting coach and assisted with recruiting under Dave Serrano up at Cal State Northridge. After Jason Dietrich was named the sixth head coach in Cal State Fullerton Titan Baseball history, Walton was the first assistant coach to be named to the Dietrich led staff. Highlights include:

Justin Garza became the 70th Cal State Fullerton Titan Baseball alumnus to make his debut in Major League Baseball. As a freshman, Garza was named the Big West Pitcher of the Year in 2013, a year he would go 12-0 and record a team high 95 strikeouts. For his career, Garza ranks tied with Jason Windsor at 7th all time for fewest walks per 9 innings (1.60). Most notably, Garza is best remembered for his May 23, 2014 pitching performance vs. Cal State Northridge where he threw the fourth no-hitter in Titan Baseball history. Unfortunately in his junior season with Cal State Fullerton,Garza suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery. Garza would still get selected in the 8th round by the Cleveland Indians and recently got the call up to Cleveland in June 2021. Hear his thoughts on his three years playing for Titan Baseball including these highlights:

Blake Workman, is a right handed pitcher that played for Cal State Fullerton from 2016 through the 2018 seasons. While playing for Titan Baseball, he played in three Regionals, two Super Regionals and one College World Series. Workman ranks fourth in Titan history for his 10.74 Strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in the 2018 season, a year he was named to the Big West First Team All-Conference list. Workman was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was recently promoted to Double-A and as of this recording, playing for the Amarillo Sod Poodles in the Texas League. Hear his thoughts on his three years playing for Titan Baseball including these highlights:

Although he only coached for the Cal State Fullerton Baseball program for one season, Blake Hawksworth's impact on the program goes beyond the 2017 year, a year the Titans would reach Omaha for the 18th time in program history.Now a pitching coach at the high school level, Blake Hawksworth coached at the Division 1 college level in 2020, coaching at Grand Canyon University before COVID-19 shut-down the season. In this conversation, Hawksworth speaks candidly about the one year he coached the Titan pitchers in 2017, the Palo Alto Regional and the dramatic Super Regional series vs. Long Beach State. Hawksworth answered the tough questions regarding the decision to throw Colton Eastman in relief in Game 1 of the 2017 CWS and also opened up about the real and very personal reason why he excused himself from the team following the College World Series. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ca

Titan Baseball's 6th Head Coach in D1 program history, Jason Dietrich, was introduced to the media and fans on June 30, 2021. Following the official statements made at the podium, we conducted one-on-one interviews with CSUF President Fram Virjee, CSUF Athletic Director Jim Donovan, Titan Baseball Play-by-Play broadcaster Mike Martinez and of course, the newest head coach, Jason Dietrich.Highlights include:▶️ 2:20 - CSUF President Fram Virjee on Jason Dietrich's hiring▶️ 6:15 - CSUF Athletic Director Jim Donovan on Jason Dietrich's hiring▶️ 10:05 - Head Coach Jason Dietrich comments▶️ 20:45 - Titan Baseball Play-by-Play man Mike Martinez▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Award Winning Voice Artist Eli Harris is available online: http://iameliharris.com/▶️ Suggest a guest: CalStateOmaha@Gmail.com

We caught up with Mike Rooney, ESPN studio analyst and color commentator and writer and contributor to D1Baseball.com, before the start of the 2021 college baseball season.You probably most recognize Roons from his work during the College World Series in Omaha, normally wearing his trademark bucket hat while reporting from the field. Mike was a player at Notre Dame from 1989 to 1992 and has coached in high school and was on the Arizona State coaching staff under legendary coach Pat Murphy.Please subscribe to the show on whatever platform you are listening and share with family and friends. While there, please leave a 5 star rating and review. This helps other fans find the show more easily. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow Mike Rooney on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mike_Rooney▶️ Follow Mike Ro

Cal State Fullerton Athletic Director Jim Donovan took time out of his very busy schedule to talk about Titan Athletics getting the green light from the Big West Conference to start sporing sports. That means after getting the season canceled 20 games into the 2020 season, Titan Baseball will be back on the field in 2021.What a Titan Baseball season will look like and how the Athletic Department will navigate COVID-19 restrictions and protocols? Jim Donovan shares his thoughts in this episode. He even gives Titan fans a sneak peek at a tentative Titan Baseball conference schedule complete with home and away opponents and potential series dates. Make sure to stay to the end to hear how the Titan Baseball and Softball complex construction project is progressing and the expected completion dates. Please subscribe to the show on whatever platform you are listening and share with family and friends. While there, please leave a 5 star rating and review. This helps other fans find the show more easily. ▶️ Visit our

Right handed pitcher Mike Parisi played for the Titans for three years during the 1992 through the 1994 seasons, playing for the legendary Augie Garrido all three years. Parisi arrived at Cal State Fullerton by way of Arcadia High School in the San Gabriel Valley.Drafted in the sixth round by the Florida Marlins in 1994, Parisi was named to two different All-American teams in 1994. Parisi's four shutouts in 1994 is tied with Kirk Saarloos for the most shutouts in a season along with leading the 1994 team with most strikeouts that season with 103 Ks.Parisi and Matt Wagner shared the 1994 team record for wins with both pitchers recording 12 Ws on the season. Parisi finished his three year career on the mound at Fullerton with a 26-8 record and a 3.47 ERA.Please subscribe to the show on whatever platform you are listening and share with family and friends. While there, please leave a 5 star rating and review. This helps other fans find the show more easily. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️

We tracked down Cal State Fullerton Head Baseball Coach Rick Vanderhook to get his thoughts on how the position players and hitters are shaping up coming out of fall practice. In Episode 35, we spoke to Pitching Coach Dan Ricabal about the arms and in this episode, Hook reveals who Titan Baseball fans can expect to see out in the field and at the plate.Vanderhook had high praise for outfielders Jackson Lyon and Jason Brandow along with catcher Kameron Guangorena for maximizing their time during the COVID-19 shutdowns. All three of those players returned to campus improved players both physically and mentally. Hook also noted that Cameron Repetti, JJ Cruz and Caden Connor took advantage of the time away and all improved on their size and strength over the summer. Hook hints that Repetti has the potential to be another Titan to make it to Major League Baseball in the future.Make sure to hear who Hook has labeled "the secret weapon" of the team based on his versatility and overall talent in addition to learning

Fall practices have come to a close and although this year's fall ball was quite different due to COVID-19 protocols, Cal State Fullerton pitching coach believes it was more beneficial for the development of the 2021 pitching staff.We caught up with Cal State Fullerton Titan Baseball Pitching Coach Dan Ricabal to discuss the prospects of Tanner Bibee returning to his normal Friday night role, which pitchers will fill the weekend starting rotation and who will eventually emerge and the closer for the 2021 college baseball season. Please subscribe to the show on whatever platform you are listening and share with family and friends. While there, please leave a 5 star rating and review. This helps other fans find the show more easily. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow Dan Ricabal on Twitter: https:/

We caught up with Cal State Fullerton Titan Baseball Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Sergio Brown to discuss a number of topics. The two main topics included Titan Baseball getting back on the field and practicing in a limited capacity to stay within COVID-19 safety protocols and National Signing Day.Coach Brown was able to reveal that all 11 high school players that had verbally committed to the Titans, all signed their National Letters of Intent this past week. Coach Brown was able to give a preview of each incoming player that signed and what Titan fans can expect to see when they hit campus next fall.Please subscribe to the show on whatever platform you are listening and share with family and friends. While there, please leave a 5 star rating and review. This helps other fans find the show more easily. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on

Earlier this month, Easton Diamond Sports released a video featuring the return of the "Green Easton", one of the most iconic aluminum bats in college baseball, and used Cal State Fullerton's Titan Baseball program amid the backdrop of the iconic Rosenblatt Stadium.We talk with Austin Hurwitz, Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce with Easton Diamond Sports about the return of the Green Easton and the choice to use Cal State Fullerton and Rosenblatt prominently in the video.View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct2TGSI5r9k▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow Easton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastonbaseball/▶️ Follow Easton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Easton_Baseball▶️ Suggest a guest: CalStateOmaha@Gmail.com

Matt Brown has been the Cal State Fullerton Athletics photographer for over 20 years and has captured some of the biggest moments in Titan Baseball history. A photographer from a very early age, Brown has shot for some of the biggest publications including Sports Illustrated and ESPN the Magazine and has captured some of the biggest sports moments including Super Bowls, The World Series, The NBA Finals, AVP, Stanley Cups Finals, NCAA Bowls, The FIFA World Cup and of course, the College World Series. In this episode, we talk about how the men in his life growing up introduced him to photography, how mentors within the photo journalism industry helped advance his career from high school and why he has stayed working on contract for Cal State Fullerton since 1999. Make sure to listen to the end to hear what makes the perfect sports photograph and if Matt has captured it yet or is still chasing that perfect photo.▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalS

Nate Nankil is the next guest in our series of podcast episodes featuring incoming players to join Titan Baseball for the 2021 season.Nankil will arrive on campus by way of San Diego playing at Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista. An outfielder by trade, Nate is a 6'3" and around 200 pounds and is projected to compete for an outfield position in the lineup for the upcoming 2021 season. Perfect Game ranked Nankil the 40th best player in the State of California and ranked him the ninth best outfielder in the state.Nankil is also a pitcher and was his team's closer and could see time on the mound in a Titans uniform. In this episode, we talk with Nankil about how his senior season ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his style of play, a unique summer ball experience in the age of Coronavirus and his reaction to how Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Sergio Brown describes him. ▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶

Deylan Pigford is the next guest in our series of podcast episodes featuring incoming players to join Titan Baseball for the 2021 season. Pigford is an incoming transfer by way of Midland College in Texas. Originally from a small town of Farmington in the four corners area of New Mexico, Pigford is a speedy, switch hitting outfielder expected to compete for a major role in the 2021 season.In this episode, we talk with Deylan about the recruiting process in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, his style of play utilizing his above average speed, learning to switch hit as a youngster and the struggles of getting noticed by scouts and coaches coming from a small town in New Mexico.▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow Deylan Pigford on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deylan_22▶️ Follow Deylan Pigf

Tristan Gomes is the next guest in our series of podcast episodes featuring incoming players to join Titan Baseball for the 2021 season. Gomes, a three sport athlete from Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska, chose to attend Cal State Fullerton despite his mom and dad being alumni and his older brother currently playing for the Cornhuskers. A middle infielder in high school, due to his height and size, Gomes could move to a corner infield spot eventually. Gomes had the opportunity to play football at the next level and chose to turn down a football scholarship from Idaho to play baseball full time. In this episode, we talk with Tristan about the recruiting process and how he was deciding to play for either Nebraska or Cal State Fullerton and considered no others. Tristan also reveals how the Coronavirus affected his senior year in high school, his plans for summer and when he expects to arrive on campus. He also shares his thoughts on the high praise heaped on him by Associate Head Coach Sergio Brown a

Christian Rodriquez is the next guest in our series of podcast episodes featuring incoming players to join Titan Baseball for the 2021 season. A tall, right handed pitcher from Orange Lutheran High School, Rodriguez is another Titan legacy to follow his father to the Cal State Fullerton campus. Rodriguez's dad, Josh Weller, played for the Titans in the early 2000's.Rodriguez will arrive on campus with a legitimate shot at competing for a regular starting role and could sneak into the weekend rotation with a four pitch mix. His fastball tops out at 95 MPH and his 12-to-6 curve ball should leave a lot of opposing batters shaking their heads. In this episode, we talk with Christian about the recruiting process and how he was committed to the University of Miami before signing a letter of intent with Cal State Fullerton. We also discuss the deep connection with his high school and how three Orange Lutheran alumni already on Fullerton's campus will welcome him to campus in the fall. He also shares his thoughts on

Brendan Bobo is an incoming freshman into the Titan Baseball program by way of Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, California. Bobo committed to Cal State Fullerton last summer and made it official by signing a national letter of intent in the fall. A three sport athlete at Harbor High in football, basketball and of course baseball, Bobo played middle infield spot in high school and expects to stay on the infield once he arrives on Fullerton's campus. In our conversation, Brendan talks about the recruiting process and how he was a bit overwhelmed by it all and how he came to his decision to select Cal State Fullerton over other offers from Cal, Oregon, Long Beach State and Cal Baptist. Bobo reveals the level of excitement he has to join the Titans and to compete for playing time as a freshman. If you could help us out, please rate and review this podcast on whichever platform you choose. It helps tremendously.▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalSta