AREA HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK / BASEBALL

Lancaster will play the most important two weeks of its season without two top players: Darryl Smith and Franky Rosado were declared academically ineligible.

The Eagles (12-5, 6-1 in Golden League play) are tied for first with Palmdale (12-4, 6-1) and play the Falcons (12-4, 6-1) Wednesday and Thursday.

“Losing both those guys at the same time is going to hurt,” Coach Doug Martin said. “But even without those guys, we’re a good team.”

Rosado was hitting .476 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Smith was hitting .457 with three home runs.

Lancaster has been involved in several unpredictable, high-scoring games.

Last week, the Eagles trailed Antelope Valley, 7-1, but scored three runs in the sixth and nine in the seventh inning to win, 13-9.

Lancaster plays third-place Highland (10-5, 6-3) twice next week.