COYOTES RUNNING RAMPANT IN FRONTIER : BASEBALL TEAM WINS 33 STRAIGHT GAMES.

Byline: Aaron Meier Special to the Daily News

Undefeated in its last 33 Frontier League games, Calabasas High School's baseball team is one huge target.

``When a team plays us, we get everything they have, every time,'' Calabasas coach Rick Nathanson said. ``They turn it up on us so that they can be the ones to end the streak. We have to play every game like it was a playoff game.''

The Coyotes (2-1) return 11 players from a team that finished 19-3-2 overall and 14-0-2 in league last season.

Nathanson looks to a talented and crowded pitching staff to lead the way. The Coyotes are carrying six pitchers this season.

``We have more pitching depth than in the past couple of years. We don't have one ace. All six pitchers feed off of each other and they want to get in there and do the job,'' Nathanson said.

Leading the way will be junior Matt Jackson, who finished last season with a 3-0 record and a 1.98 ERA.

``We're going to need him to have a standup year but I think if anyone is going to step it up it's going to be Matt,'' Nathanson said.

The Coyotes also return left-hander Rick Stockton, who also was undefeated last season with a 3-0 record and a 1.54 ERA. The senior pitcher is also contributing with his bat this season going five for 11 in his first three games.

Nathanson said that he will also use first baseman Frank Carlisi in short relief.

``He's had some injury problems in the past but now he's throwing pain free for the first time. They probably won't admit it but he was throwing some nasty pitches against El Camino,'' he said.

A powerful Coyote offense will be led by All-Southern Section outfielder Brian Fatur. The senior center fielder had an impressive .464 batting average and 36 stolen bases last season.

``He's an absolutely outstanding player who has been blessed with some real gifts. With his quick hands and his power he is not your usual leadoff hitter but our belief is that you can only lead off once a game,'' Nathanson said.

Catcher Josh Goldfield collected 30 RBI and has signed to play at the University of San Francisco. Even with his offensive numbers it is Goldfield's defense that Nathanson applauds. The senior threw out 16 of the 18 base runners who attempted to steal off of him last season.

``He's one of the top three catchers in the area,'' Nathanson said.

After transferring from Chaminade High School too late and sitting out last season, senior Matt Sagoian appears poised to make up for lost time. Nathanson claims that Sagoian is a legitimate threat on the mound and at the plate.

On Saturday, starting outfielder Brian Trejo suffered what could be a season-ending hip injury while attempting to avoid a pitch. Nathanson said that while it is a serious blow to his team, he can only look for the positive.

``He's a very emotional guy on the field and it's a devastating loss but this team can't be about the strength of one player. We have guys who need to step it up and fill in,'' said Nathanson.

The Coyotes coach points to players Chris Bentz, Dusty England and Marc Wilson to step to the front in Trejo's absence.

Nathanson said that the Coyotes may get some added punch from standout football running back Robbie Coppola. The two-sport athlete has begun to turn some heads with his strength.

``This is a kid with power. When he turns on a pitch he awes the team,'' he said.

As for his team's winning tradition, the Coyotes are 86-27-2 in the past four years, Nathanson feels that it simply becomes a matter of attitude.

``Once you win it becomes contagious. The players just seem to want it more and this group is determined to carry that on,'' he said.