Batesole Earns National Award

Mike Batesole of Cal State Northridge has been selected Division I baseball coach of the year by Collegiate Baseball magazine, an honor that will be announced in two weeks along with the publication’s All-American team.

Lou Pavlovich Jr., editor of Collegiate Baseball, said the selection is regardless of whether Northridge makes the NCAA regional field.

“He is definitely coach of the year,” Pavlovich said. “I can’t believe what he’s done this year. Nobody in my memory has been faced with the adversity he has and accomplished what he has.

“If anybody deserves justice, it’s him.”

Despite patching together a roster weeks before school began last fall, Batesole led the Matadors to a 37-19 record, including 25 victories in their last 27 games.

Northridge administrators cut the baseball program in June and reinstated it in August only because state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) supplied the athletic department with emergency funds.

Batesole hurriedly put together a schedule and filled his roster with castoffs from other schools and players who had nowhere else to turn. Against all odds, the Matadors defeated several ranked opponents and showed consistent improvement.

In three seasons, Batesole, 34, has a record of 131-57-1 and is one of the youngest coaches to achieve 100 victories.

“What struck me the most was that Mike Batesole was classy all the way,” Pavlovich said. “He could have screamed bloody murder and pointed fingers, but he kept quiet and made the best of what he had.”

Pavlovich said that his magazine will actually honor Batesole twice. In its next issue, an All-American team, “like the All-Madden team,” of players who have overcome obstacles will be published. The following issue will feature the regular All-American team.

Batesole is the magazine’s choice as coach on both teams.

“It’s a great honor, and it’s really a tribute to the players who invested so much into this season,” Batesole said. “They deserve all the credit.”