Union Pines is hoping to bring some stability to its baseball program with the naming of Chad Hill as the next head coach.

The North Moore and Catawba graduate from Bennett replaces Scott Blue, who resigned from his teaching and coaching duties at the end of the first semester to pursue a business opportunity.

Hill will be the Vikings' sixth baseball coach in the last seven years. Blue led the team to the state playoffs in his one year at the helm.

"We're excited about getting him started," said Dale Buie, Union Pines assistant principal and athletic director on Monday. "There has been a lot of coaching turnover and we're looking for some stability."

Hill is the son of Ricky and Tami Hill of Bennett. His sister, Alicia, is a senior at UNC-Pembroke where she was a standout on the volleyball team last fall. He and his wife, Amanda, were married on Dec. 30 and currently reside in Aberdeen.

A three-sport athlete at North Moore, Hill brings to the coaching position a wealth of playing experience at the next levels.

He graduated from Catawba in 2003 with a business degree. He was a two-time All-South Atlantic and all-region shortstop at the Division II school, setting team records in hits and assists. He played three years of wooden bat summer league college baseball and independent league professional ball after graduation at stops that included Kansas City, Joliet, Ill., and Gary, Ind.

Hill spent at year at Richmond County High School before accepting a position as a digital communications teacher at Union Pines last fall. He was also an assistant football coach responsible for the Viking defensive backs.

A popular choice with the returning players on the Viking baseball team, he is also well known by the administration because of his local roots. His baseball coach at North Moore was current Union Pines assistant principal, Scott Absher.

Senior pitcher-infielders Bryan Collins and Carson McLean are signed with UNC-Asheville, and Matt Key is committed to UNC-Pembroke. Their return, along with other experienced players, makes the prospects good for the coming season.

Hill is familiar with most of the Viking players from either coaching against them in a summer and fall baseball league or observing them during off-season workouts. He plans to stress the fundamentals of baseball.

"This is a good year to make a statement in Union Pines baseball because of all the experience," he says. "Being strong in the fundamentals is going to be our No. 1 thing."