HAAG HAS MATADOR METTLE IN FRESNO.

Byline: CHRIS COCOLES College Baseball 

His new team was struggling, but Fresno State's Ryan Haag was determined to make something happen.

``I can't be doing that every game,'' said Haag, who threw his 5-foot-8 body into the University of San Francisco catcher on a bang-bang play at the plate. The umpire called the shoulder-first dive illegal and Haag was automatically ejected.

Haag, a Hart High of Newhall product, followed coach Mike Batesole from Cal State Northridge to Fresno State. They left a program that was coming off a Big West Conference championship won with an intense and aggressive approach. His Matadors teammates wouldn't have flinched if one of their own had barreled into a catcher with such force.

But for Fresno State, which at the time of Haag's collision was 3-7, such a move was met with raised eyebrows.

``That was the first time I really saw fire out of that team,'' Haag said of teammates' reaction to the play (both benches cleared when the principles shoved each other). ``They said, `We love to see that.' I said, `We have to have something else to fire us up.' ''

The Bulldogs have bought into Batesole's style to which Haag is accustomed. They entered Tuesday's game at USC 14-13 after starting 4-11. Haag has done far more than sacrifice his body for the cause. He's hitting .320 with one home run and 13 RBI and he has a presence that isn't reflected on the stat sheet.

``I think all winning teams and championship teams need more guys like him,'' Batesole said. ``He has a way about him that finds ways to get things done. He knows how to win. We've turned the corner on some things, and that way of playing is certainly a reason why.''

--Check swings: USC is beginning to wonder whether it will have senior ace pitcher Anthony Reyes again this season. He was to see a doctor Tuesday night. Previous tests on his right elbow were inconclusive.

``In spite of what the examinations show by the doctors, he's still uncomfortable,'' Trojans coach Mike Gillespie said. ...

Loyola Marymount junior Jonathan Higashi (Chaminade of West Hills) was named to the initial list of candidates for the Johnny Bench Award for the top collegiate catcher. Higashi was hitting .325 and had thrown out of 18 of 30 runners attempting to steal. ...

Pepperdine's Jacob Barrack was named West Coast Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week. The junior allowed two runs (one earned) with a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings against Saint Mary's last Sunday to lower his ERA to 2.31.