Sacramento City College Men's Baseball

Sullivan and the Panthers goes beyond having a desire to win. Having a commitment to prepare for the next level, both on the field and off, is a huge part of becoming a Sac City Guy. For the past three summers, Sully has served as field manager for the Easton Cats, partnering with Panther assistant coach Drew Henning to run the development-based, travel ball program with the Sacramento Sports Center and Easton Baseball. Over the 2011 and 2012 summers, Derek was a part of the Chatham As coaching staff in the Cape Cod League. He followed in the footsteps of former SCC head coach Andy McKay, and current SCC pitching coach Deskaheh Bomberry, who both coached for Chatham for longtime skipper John Schiffner. The Cape serves as college baseballs premier summer league, attracting the best amateur players in the country. Derek began his coaching career in the summer of 2004 with the Bayside (NY) Yankees. His on-field duties included running the offense and coaching third base for one of the premier Connie Mack programs on the East Coast. One former player was Pittsburgh Pirates #1 overall pick Pedro Alvarez. In the summer of 2005, he coached with the Lafayette (CA) Generals and assumed the same on-field duties for one of Northern Californias best summer baseball programs. He returned to the coach for the Panthers after playing for SCC in 2001 and 2002, reaching the Final Four in both years. He transferred to St. Johns University in Queens, NY for the 2003 and 2004 seasons, where payed for Ed Blankmeyer. As a member of the Red Storm, Derek was a utility infielder and played in the 2004 NCAA Stanford Regional. A graduate of Woodcreek High School, Sacramento City College (A.A.), St. Johns University (B.A.) and Sacramento State University (M.B.A.), Derek now lives in Natomas with his wife, Nicole, and daughters, Abigail and McKenna.

Bio Ryan is in his second year at Sacramento City College, working with the Panther hitters and outfielders. His strengths include connecting with players, patience, and dedicating long hours in the hitting tunnels to help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the field. Ryan was one of Sacramento's (and Northern California’s) top high school baseball players in the 1990s and played briefly at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. He stepped away from the game to raise his young son, an experience that shaped his character and coaching philosophy. Ryan brings over 15 years of coaching experience, including developing a baseball academy and coaching showcase-level high school players.  He lives in Citrus Heights with his wife, Myka.

Bio Mateo Lake enters his first year as an assistant coach at Sacramento City College. Lake played for the panthers in 2022 and 2023, before transferring to complete his college playing career and degree at CSU San Marcos. Lake assists with Hitting and Outfield development  

Bio Ayden returns to Sac City and is entering his first year of coaching. He played at City College in 2022 and redshirted in 2023, before playing his final season in 2024. He transferred to Chico State after.  He is assisting the Panther infielders and hitters, focusing on developing their individual skills and helping to create the competitive environment that City is known for. He is also working with all SCC student-athletes in the Panther-for-Panther mentorship program on campus. Ayden is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at Sacramento State and is planning to complete his Master’s degree after that. He also coaches at the Sacramento Sports Center, focusing on player development and helping athletes further their knowledge within the game of baseball. 

Bio Coach Hammer joins the Sac City Baseball Program with a strong foundation in player development, education, and leadership.  A former collegiate scholar-athlete turned educator, he has spent the past decade coaching and teaching athletes throughout Northern California while helping them grow on and off the field.  Hammer currently serves as the Director of Player Development & Lead Instructor for Trosky EdTech, where he helps design national curriculum for academy schools and contributes to the development of a modern baseball-training app centered on mental skills, life skills, and advanced player development.  He also hosts and produces the Trosky 365 Live Show, collaborating with respected coaches and educators from across the game.  Known for his presence behind the microphone and his ability to bring energy to any setting, Hammer uses his communication skills to educate, motivate, and connect with players and audiences.  His work in baseball education reflects his reputation as a thoughtful teacher, creative communicator, and passionate mentor.  Hammer’s experience in the collegiate summer ranks became a launching point for his transition into college athletics.  He spent one season with the Healdsburg Prune Packers as an Assistant Coach and Board Advisor.  The program captured the 2021 California Collegiate State Championship and brought together accomplished collegiate players from programs across the country.  Hammer credits his time in that championship environment as a formative period that shaped his coaching and development philosophy.  He began his coaching journey in the Bay Area as a high school teacher and coach, working at Saint Joseph Notre Dame, where he helped guide the program to the 2021 BCL East League title and a section title appearance.  Alongside his work at SJND, Hammer served as a Head Coach in travel ball and earned certification as a Driveline-certified coach, experiences that further deepened his approach to communication, mindset training, and holistic athlete development.  An NCAA Academic All-American, multi-time team captain, and award-winning student-athlete at the now-closed Holy Names University, Hammer earned the Presidential Founder’s Medal, one of the institution’s highest honors, along with additional awards created in his namesake.  His leadership and impact within HNU Athletics were further recognized through the creation of “Hammer the Hawk,” a mascot title introduced prior to the university’s closure in recognition of his contributions to campus spirit and community.  He later transitioned into collegiate athletic administration before fully dedicating himself to coaching and player development.  Hammer lives in West Sacramento with his wife Maria, their daughter Lola, and their dog Rudy.

Bio Dixon is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Panthers, primarily serving as the program’s catching coach. He brings a strong emphasis on player development, fundamentals, and defensive consistency, helping guide the team’s catching corps to continuous improvement each season. Following his SCC playing career, Dixon transferred to Culver-Stockton College, where he competed for two seasons as part of the CSC baseball program. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Culver-Stockton College. Dixon remains committed to fostering a competitive, team-first environment and continues to mentor student-athletes both on and off the field.

Bio Dennis Henning is a former Sacramento City College baseball player who now serves in the field of behavioral health, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with courage and purpose. With experience working alongside professional athletes, Dennis brings a unique and valuable perspective to our program. His personal journey—a story of trauma, resilience, and growth—shapes the powerful way he connects with student-athletes. Dennis is passionate about supporting players not just on the field, but in life, helping them face personal struggles with honesty and strength. Dennis’s ability to engage others through authentic connection creates a safe space where athletes feel seen, heard, and empowered. His return to our program is more than just coaching—it’s about building a culture of support, resilience, and mental wellness.