COLLEGE BASEBALL: CSUN'S WILD RIDE SENIORS GORMAN, DAVIDSON ENDURE AND APPRECIATE.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - Mike Batesole will soon coach his last baseball game at Cal State Northridge before moving onto a new job at Fresno State. A tough guy on the surface, Batesole confessed when this season does end - the Matadors play Maine tonight at 7 to open the NCAA Regionals at USC - it will be an emotional moment.

Two Matadors who figure to move Batesole more than ever are Jason Gorman and Andy Davidson. Both local products - Gorman from Palmdale High and Davidson from Hart - they and first baseman Tim Arroyo are fourth-year seniors who went from losing seasons as freshmen and sophomores to Big West Conference champions and College World Series hopefuls as seniors.

``I've been telling those guys from the beginning, they're going to get what they deserve. Now they're going to get what they deserve,'' Batesole said. ``They've put in the time. They've made the sacrifices. They got it done in the classroom. And now they're going to get to have the fun they deserve.''

Gorman, the Matadors' starting shortstop, and Davidson, a pitcher, seem to have it all as seniors: 40 wins, a Big West title and a No. 2 seed in the USC regional. It's a far cry from the 27-29 and 23-33 records they endured in 1999 and 2000.

But even this season hasn't been easy for either. Gorman, who had made 158 starts in his first three seasons at various positions, wasn't even an everyday player to begin his senior year. Texas Tech transfer Shaun Larkin moved into the second-base spot Gorman was a candidate to fill.

Freshman Mel Robinson Jr. got Batesole's early nod to play shortstop. Third base was a carousel of Gorman, Ryan Haag (a Hart graduate who eventually settled into the job) and John Voita.

``In the beginning of the year, I wasn't getting the playing time,'' said Gorman, who knew his history of playing three of four infield spots and the outfield would give him more chances.

``He was kind the fill-him-in guy. 'We're going to put you here, we're going to put you there','' CSUN assistant coach Grant Hohman said. ``He's adjusted to every position we've put him in on the field. Filling in at short the last month in the second half was way above our expectations. Hitting over .300 and defensively he's been amazing. Some plays he's made were just 'Where did that come from'?''

And Gorman hit his way back into the everyday lineup. After a slow start, he batted a career-high .315 and added seven homers and 29 RBI despite making just 34 starts. He started more than 50 games in each of his first three seasons.

``It helps if you can play more positions than one. It's going to give you more opportunities to play,'' Gorman said. ``The big thing is I'm here for the team and wherever I need to be to make the team best is worth it.''

That's the story of Davidson's senior year, too. With 223 1/3 innings of work as a Matador, Davidson was expected to be a weekend starter in CSUN's Big West schedule. The left-hander began the year like that, but he's ended it as a bullpen workhorse, capable of throwing back-to-back days if needed.

Relievers are like the offensive lineman on the football team or the defensemen in hockey. They sometimes won't get the credit they deserve. It took Davidson time to adapt to the concept.

The improvement shown by junior Matt Larson thrust him into the starting rotation with Bill Murphy and Kameron Loe. Matadors pitching coach Steve Rousey calls Davidson ``a utility pitcher''.

``Andy's pretty complete,'' Rousey said. ``He's got four-pitch command. You can say, 'This hitter's weakness is ... pitching soft away.' Well, Andy can do that. 'This hitter's weakness is coming in on him.' Andy can do that. To be able to bring him in at key moments of the game is very valuable. 'This is the point in the game that's going to dictate whether we win or lose. Let's bring in Andy in.' ''

And Davidson has been in the right place at the right time as a reliever. He has a team-high 11 wins, six in relief since Larson became the third starter.

He'll be counted on to pick up Murphy, Loe and Larson this weekend at USC. Gorman will be expected to be a proficient hitter in the second spot in the lineup and make more defensive gems at shortstop. As Batesole said, this is what his seniors have been waiting for.

``In order to be a strong person, you've got to go through the rough times,'' Davidson said. ``I've been through the rough times. It's my time to be feeling high.''

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Photo:

Andy Davidson, top, and Jason Gorman have seen CSUN baseball rise from a sub-.500 program to conference champion and NCAA qualifier in three seasons.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer