Barker Continues Family Tradition As Falcons Post Region IV Win

ABINGDON, Va.  – Abingdon junior shortstop Josh Barker deftly fielded a grounder and fired the ball to second base to start a double play. Moments later, Barker ignited a six-run rally with a home run.

It was a familiar sight to longtime sports fans in the Abingdon area.

Barker’s father, Chip, uncle, Chris, and older brother, Ben, were all baseball standouts at Abingdon High School. Barker’s grandfather, George Ed, earned legendary status for his pitching skills in the Damascus area, eventually earning a pair of tryouts with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

With two hits and sterling defense, Josh Barker authored his own success story Monday as the Abingdon Falcons stopped the Patrick County Cougars, 10-3, in the opening round of the Region IV tournament.

“I heard a few stories growing up, plus I played baseball almost every day with my older brother and dad,” Barker said.

Shortly after the game, Barker was greeted by his grandfather, who played a vital role in the construction of Falcon Park.

“I know that my grandfather was a really good player,” Barker said. “It’s really special to have him at the game.”

It was also a special night for AHS, as the Falcons opened a 7-2 lead after two innings and cruised behind the pitching of Nathan Hagy. The senior left-hander struck out six and allowed just five hits over six innings.

“We all hit the ball, plus we had good pitching and defense,” Barker said.

The Falcons (19-5) will need a similar all-around performance tonight when they travel to Hidden Valley (17-4) for a 5 p.m. quarterfinal game.

“[Hidden Valley] has one of the top programs in the state,” AHS coach Mark Francisco said. “We have to continue to play the way we’ve been playing.”

Eight of the nine hitters in the AHS lineup reached base Monday, with Hagy driving in two runs on two hits. In addition to his three-run homer, Barker doubled in the first inning.
“I’ve been in a little slump the past few games but the coaches have been working with me and that work paid off,” Barker said.

The AHS coach said that Barker combines a solid work ethic with a variety of instinctual skills.

“Josh is a baseball kid who takes the game serious,” Francisco said. “To hit that home run tonight against an excellent team … that was big.”

The Cougars (13-8) were doomed by their second-inning woes.

“We’ve swung the bats pretty well lately, but our pitchers didn’t hit their locations,” said PC coach Terry Harris, who relied on four seniors. “When you throw the ball down the middle against a good team like Abingdon, you pay for it. It came down to one big inning.”

The Cougars featured Brevard College recruit Eric Renegar and multi-sport star Jacob Reynolds.

Barker played a starring role in Abingdon’s run to the Region IV title last season. He’s anxious to continue another championship quest today at Hidden Valley.

“We’re pretty pumped up about it,” Barker said. “We’re the defending champions. Hopefully we can get them again.”

Abingdon 10, Patrick County 3

Patrick Co. 102 000 0–3 6 2
Abingdon 160 201 x–10 7 1

Heath, Nelson (2), Boles (6) and Martin. Hagy, Nadler (7) and Pope.  W–Hagy (7-1). L–Heath. HR–Barker (A) 2nd, two on.

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