QUINCY -- Rock Island stared down the road to a Western Big 6 Conference baseball championship and had to make a decision -- play dead or play for keeps.

The Rocks aren't ready to roll over just yet.

Rock Island scored three runs in the sixth inning -- the last off a wild pickoff throw -- to knock off Quincy 8-7 and sweep a WB6 doubleheader Tuesday night at the QHS field. The Rocks won the opener 12-7 after scoring eight first-inning runs.

``Mental toughness,'' Rocks coach Andy Campbell said. ``Our guys finally exhibited some mental toughness. It's been there all along. They just needed a situation where they had some success in it. They got it tonight.''

It couldn't have come at a better time.

Rock Island (11-6) is scheduled to face Moline -- both are 4-0 in league play -- in a Saturday doubleheader. After losing to the Maroons 6-5 in a nonconference game, the Rocks needed some momentum. Marcus Youngquist supplied it.

Trailing 7-5 in the sixth, Rocky's Jake Meisenbach led off with single, Clayton George walked and Youngquist singled to right-center to score one run. Steve Mumma followed with an infield single that scored George.

A fielder's choice put runners at the corners, with Rock Island left fielder Jason Amble -- 2-for-4 with two walks at that point in the doubleheader -- at the plate. Quincy reliever Mitch Ertel tried to pick Dan Morrison off first, but his throw was into the runner and it got away from first baseman Jason Peck. That allowed Youngquist to score the go-ahead run.

``We got into some tough situations; we got into some tough places,'' Campbell said. ``Our guys bowed their necks finally and got the job done.''

Quincy (7-9, 0-4 WB6) tried to answer with leadoff hits in both the sixth and seventh. However, Rock Island reliever Josh Walker shut the door.

Ertel led off the sixth with a double and went to third on a Peck sacrifice fly. However, with Rocky's infield drawn in, Ryan Sparks grounded out to shortstop Nick Carmack. Shawn Altgilbers grounded out to end the inning.

In the seventh, Ryan Thoele led off with a single, but the Blue Devils then went down in order.

``We have to make plays,'' Quincy coach Lon Fulte said. ``We're doing that. We've got to make plays if we want to win some games.''

The Rocks didn't give the Blue Devils much of a chance in the opener.

Rock Island opened with four straight hits off Quincy junior left-hander Bobby Mahon. Doubles by Clayton George, Mumma and Carmack led to an eight-run inning that chased Mahon.

``These games scared us,'' Campbell said. ``You never know what you're going to get after driving three hours, especially on a school day. Saturdays, you can kind of mentally prepare for that.