PALMDALE HAS GOLDEN TOUCH.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Palmdale High figures to be the runaway favorite in the Golden League, based on the return of several key sluggers and standout pitcher Matt Harrington.

Returners Mike Arellano (CF), J.J. Rosati (1B), Jason Gorman (SS) and Manny Yanas (2B) bolster a hitter-heavy lineup. Sophomore Harrington and newcomer Mark Hendricks are the main pitchers.

``We've got a great group of kids,'' said new coach Lance Pierson, who couldn't be happier. ``We have the ability to beat anyone, and we know that.''

With usual favorite Antelope Valley in a down year - the Antelopes are 1-4 so far - Quartz Hill and Highland will challenge the Antelopes for playoff spots.

Quartz Hill features two of the league's best players, first baseman Ryan West and pitcher Travis Allen. Highland is led by outfielder/pitcher Traviss Hodge, off to a .588 start. Antelope Valley's Chris Wurster is the best shortstop in the league, but the team is short on pitching.

Lancaster and Littlerock are long shots. Seniorless Lancaster (3-0) has looked good in the preseason against small-school competition, but the league will be tougher. The Lobos return hard-hitting center fielder Jimmy Combs (.417 last year) but have a lot of questions.

Palmdale

Coach: Lance Pierson

1997 record: 19-6, 9-3 (first).

Key returners: CF Mike Arellano, 1B J.J. Rosati, SS Jason Gorman, P Matt Harrington, 2B Manny Yanas, LF Alex Suarez.

Key newcomer: P Mark Hendricks.

They'll win if: Mike Arellano recovers from a broken wrist. His hitting leads a potent offense.

They'll lose if: Their pitching staff forces the Falcons to score a lot of runs.

Outlook: Harrington is young but was a primary pitcher as a freshman last season. He and newcomer Hendricks throw heat and could become big winners because of the Falcons' offense. There are no holes in this lineup, so Palmdale, 2-2 after a tough nonleague schedule, is the team to beat.

Quartz Hill

Coach: Dave Stradling

1997 record: 13-9, 5-7 (fourth).

Key returners: 1B Ryan West, 2B Johnny Smith, P Travis Allen, P A.J. Ryan, P Brady Robbins.

Key newcomer: P Chad Spencer.

They'll win if: Allen and West continue to play as they've started out. Allen is 2-0 and getting better all the time. He missed most of last season after breaking his hand in a non-baseball incident. He won six games in '96 as a sophomore. West has been red hot, with three home runs already.

They'll lose if: The offense falters. A lot of homers are hit at windy Quartz Hill and the Rebels will have to outslug some teams.

Outlook: The Rebels are the most improved team, winning three of their four in preseason. There's plenty of punch: Smith batted .379 and shortstop Parker Methany batted .370 last year. Ryan was 2-1 with 1.40 ERA in '97 and forms a solid 1-2 combination with Allen. The Rebels' run-scoring capability and above-the-line pitching staff make them strong contenders for the postseason.

Highland

Coach: Mike Van Cheri

1997 record: 12-5, 6-6 (third).

Key returners: OF/P Traviss Hodge, 3B Jon Anello, OF Shaun Gerstl.

Key newcomers:: P/OF Jason Kubel, SS J.P. Smith.

They'll win if: Hodge can carry the team. He has two home runs and seven RBI in five preseason games, and he will be the No. 1 pitcher as well. Scouts love his outfield arm.

They'll lose if:The hitting doesn't come through.

Outlook: Anello (.307, 6 HRs, 21 RBI in '97) gives the Bulldogs an impressive one-two punch with Hodge. Gerstl (.378, 4 HR, .378) can also handle the bat. Kubel has looked good so far; if the rest of the pitching staff develops - and Highland's hearty hitters avoid slumps - watch out.

Antelope Valley

Coach: Ed t'Sas

1997 record: 17-11, 9-3 (first)

Key returners: SS Chris Wurster, 3B Mike Seward.

Key newcomers: 2B Chris Barton, OF Jason Elizondo, CF Justin Mobley

They'll win if: Coach t'Sas can find some hitters. Seniors Wurster and Seward are the only .250-plus returners.

They'll lose if: The pitching doesn't develop. Staff ace Jeremy Holiday graduated and there doesn't appear to be anybody to take his place.

Outlook: Football convert Mobley could be a surprise based on his athleticism. Elizondo and Barton have been productive in the preseason, and Mike Place has good tools. But the Antelopes have too many question marks, specifically pitching, to be a league favorite. Then again, t'Sas knows how to win, and tradition and intangibles go a long in the Golden League.

Lancaster

Coach: Doug Martin, first year.

1997 record: 16-5 (as junior varsity)

Key returners: None.

Key newcomers: 1B Eric Sundberg, OF Frankie Rosado, P Steve Payte, SS Mike Brown.

They'll win if: Coach Martin is pyschic. He promises the team will be competitive, even predicting a third-place finish (which would guarantee a playoff spot).

They'll lose if: They play like juniors and sophomores, which is what they are. It's a tough league and the Eagles will do well to finish at .500.

Outlook: Even without any seniors, the Eagles don't lack confidence. Against three small schools, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 39-2. One problem: Rosado may not be able to play because of academic problems. Rosado hit a 400-foot homer against Mojave and has power potential. Still, they might have enough to get by Littlerock.

Littlerock

Coach: Bernie Kyman

1997 record: 8-19, 2-10 (fifth)

Key returners: CF Jimmy Combs, OF Will Cristerna, 3B Curt Raine

Key newcomers: P Ryan Spradlin, C Mike Arvizo, P Conrad Castrellon.

They'll win if: The sophomore pitchers are effective.

They'll lose if: They play like last year, when they lost 11 of their last 12 games.

Outlook: Kyman touts Combs as a bona fide college prospect, but others, particularly a cast of sophomore pitchers, must overachieve for Littlerock to be competitive.

GOLDEN FORECAST

1. Palmdale

2. Quartz Hill

3. Highland

4. Antelope Valley

5. Lancaster

6. Littlerock

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: no caption (Lance Pierson)

Box: GOLDEN FORECAST (See Text)