LITTLE LEAGUE: Q.H. STAYS ALIVE TEAM AVOIDS ELIMINATION WITH FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

ROSAMOND - An early loss is devastating in a double-elimination baseball tournament - every game becomes a do-or-die situation - but somebody forgot to tell that to the Quartz Hill Little League all-stars.

The 11- and 12-year-olds, rebounding from an opening loss in the Area 4 tournament last week, won their fourth straight with Saturday's 6-0 victory over California City in the first round of the District 51 finals at Rosamond Little League.

``It's been hard, but I still think we're gonna be successful,'' said winner Kyle Harris (1-0), who pitched a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts and was 2 for 3 with a home run. ``All we need to do is keep our heads up and keep playing like we know how to. We just want to keep playing our hardest.''

Harris, who had two home runs two days earlier in the Area 4 championship game against Palmdale, didn't allow a ball past the infield, except for Matt Porter's third-inning single. The hard-throwing right-hander, relying on a sharp curveball and zippy fastball, struck out seven of the last eight.

The victory set up an elimination game against Bishop (3-1) late Monday. Quartz Hill (4-1) needs three more wins to capture the District championship and advance to the Sectionals starting Saturday in Glendale.

Area 3 champion Lancaster Parkview (2-0), which met Boron (3-0) late Monday, hasn't given up a run in the postseason. They're considered the District 51 favorite.

Meanwhile, neighboring Quartz Hill continues to take things one game at a time - out of necessity - and appears to be motivated by the pressure.

``It's been kind of a challenge for us, but it's been fun,'' said center fielder Jonathan Birds, who was 1 for 3 and scored twice on Saturday. ``Since that first loss, we've been playing as a team, and we've gotten a lot better. We are learning to play together and talk things out.''

Quartz Hill jumped on California City right-hander Jimmy Bernardi (1-1) for four runs (three earned) in 2 1/3-plus innings. Birds opened the scoring when he singled, advanced on a wild pitch and came home on Jason Gatza's two-run single. The winners added two more in the third, highlighted by Noah Vigil's run-scoring single.

``Well, we've had to win every night and there's been some tough games,'' Quartz Hill manager Randy Speed said. ``But I think we have a good chance if we play our ball.''

In other District 51 action on Saturday:

--Boron 7, Bishop 1: James Smith tossed a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts and was 2 for 4 with a double to help Boron (3-0) remain undefeated.

Boron, coached by Boron High varsity baseball coach Ron Toy, broke it open with four runs in the second for a 5-0 lead, taking advantage of Mike Smith's leadoff double, two walks, two outfield errors and a hit batter.

Daniel Burton scored Bishop's only run. Andy Ware took the loss, giving up eight hits and six walks.

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(color) Chase Tigert and the Lancaster Parkview, which faced Boron Monday, are considered favorites to win the District 51 title.

David Crane/Staff Photographer