Hill Leaving Fullerton for Northridge

Infielder Nakia Hill, Cal State Fullerton’s fourth-leading hitter last season as a sophomore, said Tuesday he was unhappy with the Titans last season and will play baseball next season at Cal State Northridge.

“It was a combination of things,” Hill said. One factor, he says, was a personality conflict with assistant coach Rick Vanderhook. “We had some problems, and then the year didn’t end the way I wanted it to,” Hill said. “I had that last at-bat taken away from me at Stanford, and that didn’t seem right.”

Coach George Horton replaced Hill with pinch-hitter Ryan Fullerton in the bottom of the ninth inning in the NCAA West Regional tournament game against Fresno State. The Titans had the bases loaded with one out, trailing, 8-7, but Fullerton grounded into a double play that ended the rally and eliminated the Titans.

“Nakia has chosen to continue his playing career at another institution, and we hope that decision works out well for everyone concerned,” Horton said. “This will put him in a situation that has the potential to work better for him.”

In a meeting after last season, Horton said he told Hill that his playing time might be more limited if he returned for his junior season. Hill started 55 of 64 games last season, batting .357 with seven home runs. He was second on the team in errors with 16 at second base.

Hill said he went to the meeting with Horton planning to ask for his release. His transfer to Northridge was confirmed Monday when the Matador program was reinstated for at least one more season after being dropped June 11 because of budget and gender-equity considerations.

Three other members of last year’s Titan team also are planning to transfer, Horton said. Backup catcher Mike Wright is switching to San Jose State and relief pitcher Steve Lawson to Mt. San Antonio College. Horton said another pitcher, Tim Baron, also might transfer to Northridge.