Persell’s Chase of Baseball Dream Is No Cakewalk

When you’re a walk-on in college, there’s no time to moan, groan or pout. You start at the bottom of the roster. You either accept it and try to make a positive impression or reject it, become disillusioned and eventually quit.

Josh Persell, who turns 22 on Friday, has experienced the highs and lows of a walk-on since arriving at USC in the fall of 1996 after playing baseball at Montclair Prep.

“There were times when I wasn’t playing and just thought it was the end of the road,” he said. “I was running into a brick wall.”

One of the most inspiring moments in college sports is when a walk-on surpasses a scholarship player and earns a spot in the starting lineup. That’s what Persell has accomplished.

“It is a great story in that he is the kind of guy you root for,” Coach Mike Gillespie said.

Since he was 10, Persell wanted to play baseball for USC. His father, grandfather, aunt and uncle attended USC. But when he enrolled as a walk-on, Persell received no guarantees.

“Coach Gillespie has never blown any smoke around me,” he said. “They told me where I stood. It’s been up to me. They tell us from the get-go, no matter who you are, if you are a full scholarship guy or no-name, you’re going to get the opportunity to showcase your talents.”

Persell, 6 feet 3 and 215 pounds, played first base, catcher, third base, right field and left field last season as a sophomore. He played in 28 games, including 14 starts, and batted .309.

But not until last summer and fall did Persell start to convince people of his hitting skills. He led the Northwoods summer league with a .381 batting average. He won the home-run derby at the all-star game. He came home and led the Trojans in hitting with a .420 average in winter games.

“He has continued to hit and hit against all kinds of pitching,” Gillespie said. “He has put himself into the driver’s seat to start and would have to play himself out of a spot. I’m thoroughly convinced if we get some guys on ahead of him, he will drive them in.”

USC has had its share of success with baseball walk-ons, from Randy Flores to Morgan Ensberg, from Robb Gorr to Wes Rachels. Persell is another who has beaten the odds.

“He’ll be one of those stories we’ll talk about forever,” Gillespie said.

Persell understands what has put him in position to start--hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

“It’s been a rough road and the only thing I can say is I thank Coach Gillespie,” he said. “The things I’ve learned the last four years can’t be compared to anything I’ll ever learn.”

On opening day last season, Persell stood near first base in his USC uniform while the national anthem was played. He peeked into the stands at Dedeaux Field and saw his parents wiping away tears.

They recognized the special moment at hand, their son’s first start in college.

“It was something we looked forward to a long time,” said Persell’s father, Gary.

On Jan. 29, when USC opens its season against Pepperdine, Persell will be in the starting lineup, hopefully to stay. He has gained valuable insight into what it takes to succeed.

“If somebody were in my shoes coming out of high school stepping into the position I was in, I’d tell them to persevere and don’t be one of the statistics that beat you,” he said. “Perseverance always beats the odds.”

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Former Cleveland High pitcher Mike Schultz is healthy, throwing 90-mph fastballs and ready for his junior season at Loyola Marymount

“It’s a big year for him,” Coach Frank Cruz said.

Former Burroughs infielder Tommy Perez will start at third base and former Crespi outfielder Robert Hirsh will start in right field. Pitchers Brian Felten from Crespi and Chris Gray from Chaminade are other key players for Loyola Marymount. . . .

Former Chaminade catcher Ryan Hamill, a transfer from Nevada Las Vegas, is battling Forrest Johnson for the starting job at UCLA. Former Chaminade pitcher Tyler Dersom won the three-mile run in Agoura that UCLA players must participate in as a conditioning requirement. It was the third consecutive year Dersom ran away from his teammates. . . .

Sit back and enjoy the exploits of former Hart shortstop J.T. Stotts, a sophomore at Cal State Northridge. He hit .400 in 25 starts last season and will be among the best in Southern California. . . .

Don’t be surprised if former El Camino Real outfielder Woody Cliffords becomes a .400 hitter at Pepperdine this season. . . .

Shortstop Billy Lockin of Thousand Oaks has committed to Loyola Marymount. . . .

Coach Gary Donatella of Sylmar might have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the City. Senior Ivan Lopez, who almost was cut from the junior varsity team three years ago because he was “small and frail,” has grown to 6-2, 160 pounds and is throwing an 86-mph fastball.

Junior left-hander Greg Ramos is back, along with junior Hector Chavez, sophomore Jamie Mah and senior Eddie Camacho. “We’re real encouraged,” Donatella said. . . .

Grant is going to win lots of games this season because few teams have two seniors with the physical tools and leadership skills of shortstop Felipe Tetelboin and pitcher Michael Marble. . . .

Coach Scott Muckey of Crespi is relieved that third baseman Jonathan Oller has recovered from a bulging disk. Oller batted .570 with 52 runs batted in during Legion ball. Oller, along with California-bound Brian Horwitz, catcher Matt Wilson and 6-3, 215-pound junior Garett Tabarez, up from junior varsity, give Crespi a potent offense. . . .

Matt Fisher of Chatsworth is set to start for the fourth consecutive season at shortstop, but the Chancellors are already grooming sophomore Ryan Barba as his heir apparent. Barba has played well in winter ball. And he showed no mercy in annihilating a sportswriter in a game of one-on-one basketball.

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com