A.V. SUFFERS FROM TWO ABSENCES.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Before losing 11-0 to Palmdale on Wednesday, underrated Antelope Valley (8-11, 5-4) had won five of six and was tied with Highland for second place in the Golden League.

Surprisingly, the Antelopes have made the surge without two players expected to make big impacts this season. Center fielder Justin Mobley quit to concentrate on preparing for football season next year at the University of New Mexico. Being a quarterback in the Western Athletic Conference simply took priority.

Pitcher Dan Petersen, a 6-5, 225-pounder who was expected to be one of the main starters, has been out for two weeks with tendinitis in his pitching elbow. Petersen (0-1) might not return.

Finesse pitcher Hector Velez (4-4), a converted outfielder, has been doing a good job picking up the slack. Entering the Palmdale loss, Velez had won three straight, including a 2-1 win highly-regarded Crespi.

Arellano still hot: Palmdale's Mike Arellano, who had six RBI in two wins over Quartz Hill last week, keeps on tearing the cover off the ball. The slightly built but powerful right-hander rocked a 420-foot home run at Antelope Valley that cleared the left-center field fence and landed into a sheep pen.

According to Antelope Valley coach Ed t'Sas, not too many hitters reach the sheep each year. Arellano also clouted a 400-plus-foot home run - this one a grand slam - against Quartz Hill.

Arellano has helped Palmdale to a 15-4, 10-0 record. The Falcons finally have cracked the Daily News top 10 at No. 10.

Add Palmdale: The Palmdale moms have their own set of embroidered baseball jerseys. The booster club had the sharp-looking shirts customized a local seamstress for $30 apiece.

``We did it as a fund-raiser,'' said Jason Perez's mother Reina, wearing her jersey that read ``Perez mom'' on the back.

Paraclete power: Paraclete's remarkable undefeated season (15-0, 5-0) has continued, but the margins are getting tighter.

The High Desert League Spirits found themselves down 4-2 in the sixth inning at Kern Valley. But Paraclete scored six unearned runs over the last two innings to win 8-4.

Strange but true: Boron's 21-14 loss to Mammoth looked more like a football score. But the surprising thing was that the game went into extra innings. The Bobcats surrendered nine runs in the eighth. Brett Davies hit two home runs in a losing effort.

It's about time: Antelope Valley Christian, which has been embarrassed by several out-of-control rout losses this season, got a taste of what it's like on the other side.

The improving Eagles, sparked by James and Josh Pratt, spanked New Life Christian 14-3.

Lancaster lasts: Lancaster's 13-11 Golden League win at Littlerock was a wild ride. The Eagles spotted Littlerock a 9-4 sixth inning lead before scoring six in the last frame, then holding a Lobos last-ditch rally to two runs.

Hard-luck Littlerock fell to 6-12, 1-8.

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PHOTO A.V. pitcher Hector Velez is a converted outfielder.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News