PREP BASEBALL: PLACE DOING WELL, BUT ANTELOPES STRUGGLING : LACK OF VETERANS IS MAIN PROBLEM.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Perhaps some of Michael Place's best baseball moments this season have come at the Lancaster batting cages, where he works part time and spends an hour after every shift perfecting his swing.

The junior center fielder has seven extra-base hits - including five triples - but a lot of his hits have gone to waste.

Antelope Valley (2-8, 0-1) took a six-game losing streak into Wednesday's Golden League game at Littlerock.

``It's always a downer losing and it's never fun,'' said Place, one of just four returners on a roster that includes two seniors, six juniors, five sophomores, three freshman and new coach Ryan Branch.

``I go out there to win, so I don't like it when we get mercy-ruled, which has happened three times. We've got a good team, we're just not playing together.''

The Antelopes won their opener and were 2-2 at one point. But the team has fallen on hard times, losing its league opener 13-1 to Quartz Hill. In that game, the Antelopes allowed 16 hits, made seven errors and struck out 13 times.

Place, also the varsity football quarterback, acknowledges a lack of veterans as a big reason why Antelope Valley is having problems.

``We've got a lot of young players, so it's been hard,'' Place said. ``A lot of guys just have not been there before, so they don't really know what to expect. With four returners, it's not like we have a lot of experience. We're lacking.''

But Place is keeping a good attitude.

``I just want to play to the best of my ability and play my game,'' he said. ``We all just need to step up.''

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PHOTO A.V.'s Michael Place has seven extra-base hits - including five triples.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News