Palmdale Bumps Off King of Hill

The scouts came, stopwatches and radar guns in hand, to watch yet another dominating performance by the big right-hander from Quartz Hill High.

The other kid, the one pitching for Palmdale? He’d be taking another loss. . . .

Whoops, better think again.

Though Darrell Hussman of Quartz Hill was the main attraction Tuesday, it was Palmdale left-hander Tony Haven who emerged victorious, pitching 6 1/3 mostly effective innings in an 11-9 victory for the Falcons (12-7, 4-1), who moved into sole possession of first place in the Golden League.

The 6-foot-4 Hussman (6-1), whose six previous appearances were complete-game victories, was roughed up in the second inning. He was pulled after facing six batters without recording an out and surrendered five runs, all earned, on three hits, including a grand slam by Palmdale’s Justice Jones.

“(Hussman) looked good in the bullpen but when he got out on the hill he had nothing, no velocity,” said Quartz Hill Coach Mike Nielson. “This was by far his worst game and I have no idea what happened.”

Hussman himself could not offer a better explanation.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said. “I felt good in the first inning but it just fell apart. It knocks me off my pedestal a little bit. It’s a humbling experience and now I’ll just start over.”

Haven (4-3) endured a three-run second inning and a four-run seventh by Quartz Hill (12-4, 3-2), where he played last season.

“I threw a lot of batting practice when (Quartz Hill) would be facing a left-handed pitcher,” said Haven, whose final numbers included eight earned runs, eight strikeouts and one walk. “I remember what their hitters liked and didn’t like from last year.”

Haven was far from unhittable but his teammates continued to make contact after Hussman left.

Goss and Matt Wilson hit home runs for Quartz Hill in the seventh.