CSUN NOTES\Batesole likes to be just one of the boys\Coach's relaxed style helps team win.

Byline: Kevin Acee Special to the Daily News

Cal State Northridge interim baseball coach Mike Batesole seems ill at ease talking to reporters. But he sheds the shyness - or guardedness - when asked about his coaching style. (That it might be helping his team win is great, but he'd prefer you not analyze it. It's just the way he is.)

"I like to get in there and train with the guys," the 31-year-old Batesole said. "That's something that's fun for me. I wish I was still 18 years old.

"That's why I have this job, because I really enjoy the game."

Not every team needs a buddy to come out and play with it. But this team evidently did.

"I think Batesole realized that we're that type of team," said senior pitcher Evan Howland. ". . . . That kind of bond has already been established." One of the most striking things about this year's team, which is ranked No. 13 in the nation, is that the pitching staff is much improved under new pitching coach Dan Cowgill. And a lot of the Matadors could hit fairly well before they ever met Batesole.

But everyone from players to their parents to the media can see there is a different attitude on this year's team.

And by many accounts, the energetic, youthful Batesole is the reason.

Batesole, himself, would balk at such praise. And, it may very well be too early to declare him college baseball's Coach of the Year.

But these are the facts:

Even before they got the first of what is now 12 wins - versus 1 loss - the players said the main difference from last season was they were having fun this season.

Batesole, an assistant at Northridge the past two years, saw what a detached and disinterested Bill Kernen did to the players' psyche.

Batesole ran practices last year. Batesole rode with the players on bus trips, while Kernen drove separately in his car. When things got tough at Matador Field, Kernen would often hop in that car and leave.

Kernen, who had much success in his seven seasons at Northridge, retired in June to pursue writing interests.

The players say now they never knew what Kernen was thinking.

"They have two different coaching styles," junior catcher Robert Fick said. "Batesole is more like your friend than your coach. It's a lot more enjoyable to play when it seems like your coach is more of your friend.

"With Kernen you always caught yourself looking over your shoulder. And I loved that man. It's just different with Batesole."

More baseball: One of Batesole's marks early on has been a penchant for the stolen base. The Matadors had stolen 27 bases through 12 games, just five less than all of last season. Even the stride-challenged Fick stole a base Saturday. . . . The staff ERA through 12 games was 2.52. That's with three pitchers - Brandon Nickens, Nathan Rice and Howland - above 9.50. . . . Through the first 12 games, the pitchers struck out 100 batters and walked 31. . . . Sophomore left-hander Erasmo Ramirez, who pitched a three-hitter Saturday, has already thrown 3-1/3 more innings this season than his 20-2/3 1995 total.