CSUN'S CATCH-22 ALLEC, BALLEW AND ARCHER ARE NICE PROBLEMS TO HAVE.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

Jason Allec made 47 starts and had 128 at-bats as a Cal State Northridge freshman last year, hitting two home runs with 10 RBI. He's started 11 times for the Matadors in 2001, but Allec already has slugged four homers while driving in 11 runs in 33 at-bats.

``You go through some rough times,'' said Allec, a Highland High graduate. ``And then, you just figure it out.''

Cal State Northridge coach Mike Batesole figured out that Allec's bat needed to be in the lineup.

Allec's offensive renaissance and the arrival of Hart High of Newhall and College of the Canyons product Eric Ballew presents Batesole with a dilemma. It's not a problem Batesole wants eliminated. The more options behind the plate, the better equipped CSUN is to make a championship run in its inaugural Big West Conference season.

The job, handled by Allec, Ballew and junior transfer Phillip Archer, is now Allec's to lose. He was in the lineup for all but nine of the Matadors' 2000 games, but those modest offensive statistics jeopardized Allec's chances of remaining with the first string.

``With Division I pitching, there's a lot to learn,'' Allec said. ``How guys pitch you in certain situations, certain counts. It's important to take note how they pitch you. How different clubs approach you as a hitter.

``You see a lot of better fastballs here with movement in Division I baseball, as well as breaking balls. In high school, you didn't have a lot of guys who could throw their breaking ball for a strike. You gotta adjust.''

Allec was a potent batter at Highland and regularly dug into the box against quality pitchers like Matt Harrington of crosstown rival Palmdale. But the transition from the Golden League to the Oklahoma States, Nevadas and Arizonas that dotted the Matadors' 2000 schedule was as overwhelming as a 96-mph Harrington fastball.

``Last year he was a 17-, 18-year-old kid who started 47 games,'' Batesole said. ``I'm sure halfway through that, he was dog tired. And he finished up weak, as you would expect.''

Archer won the starting job to begin this year but ``hit some bumps in the road,'' Batesole said.

In one of his first starts of the year against San Diego, Allec sent an instant message that his lack of run production could be dismissed as a freshman aberration.

``The first game we gave J a chance, he hit three home runs (in a game),'' Batesole said.

Allec knows starting is a privilege and not a guarantee, given the Matadors' deep catching corps. The only way to stay on the lineup card is to swing the bat effectively.

``Of course, everybody tries to produce,'' Allec said. ``If certain individuals aren't getting it done, we have the type of ballclub that anybody can come in and get the job done.''

The way Allec is punishing the baseball - he's hitting .515 with a .970 slugging percentage - Ballew must make his skills useful elsewhere.

Ballew understands. He's dealt with far tougher adversity during his two-year stint at COC. He had a monster 2000 year for the Cougars - .395, 16 homers, 53 RBI - one year removed from shoulder surgery to repair a torn right labrum.

``It still needs to get stronger,'' Ballew said. ``You just have to work with it.''

Ballew's made 12 starts, mostly at DH and a handful at catcher. He's used to being an everyday player from his career at Hart and COC. Like Allec, Ballew knows he's surrounded by players who were the stars of their high school or junior college. Just showing up to the ballpark doesn't equate to a starting position.

``Last year, I was kind of the go-to guy. Everyone can be that now,'' said Ballew, hitting .293 with a homer and six RBI entering this weekend's series at Pacific which begins today.

``Everyone's a stud on this team. Everyone can do the job.''

Archer, Allec and Ballew have made 32 starts among them at various positions. Batesole will stick with Allec at catcher until he hits - make that doesn't hit - himself out of the spot.

``Whether it be Archer or Ballew or myself, I'm confident that we're going to get the job done someway,'' Allec said.

``It's difficult to watch, but when you're watching, you learn things. And when you come in, I'm just going to be ready to go.''

HERE'S THE CATCH

Cal State Northridge's three catchers have all contributed offensively throughout the year.

Name Average HR RBI Jason Allec .515 4 1 Eric Ballew .293 1 6 Phillip Archer .278 1 6

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Eric Ballew, left, and Jason Allec are part of a three-pronged catching corps at CSUN.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News

Box: Here's the Catch (see text)