Perry Officially Becomes a Titan, Rifkin Transfers From Chapman

The transfer of outfielder Rod Perry Jr. from USC to Cal State Fullerton has been approved, and the Titan baseball program has also added first baseman Aaron Rifkin from Chapman.

“We’ve received the release from USC, so Rod is all set with us,” Titan assistant coach Dave Serrano said Thursday. “We think he’ll be a fine addition to our program.

“He’s an excellent athlete, and it should be exciting with him just concentrating on baseball. In the past, he’s only played baseball four months of the year while the other guys are playing 12 months a year.”

Perry, who graduated from Mater Dei, decided to give up football at USC after two major surgeries on the same knee. Perry, a wide receiver, sat out his freshman football season last year after a knee injury in preseason practice.

Perry played baseball for USC last spring, appearing in 50 games, starting 19. He batted .247 in 93 at-bats. Perry will have three years of eligibility with the Titans.

Rifkin, who played in high school at Etiwanda, batted .417 with 10 home runs and 51 runs batted in last season as a freshman at Chapman.