Sophomore Pitcher Guides Virginia High To Victory Over Abingdon

BRISTOL, Va. – The Abingdon Falcons entered Saturday’s baseball game at Virginia High with a 10-game winning streak.
VHS sophomore Josh Paolucci didn’t appear to be impressed.

The right-hander struck out seven AHS batters and allowed just two hits as the Bearcats stopped Abingdon, 1-0, in a marquee non-district game.

“I didn’t even know what their record was,” Paolucci said.

The Falcons (10-2) had averaged nine run over their past six games, a stretch that included wins over traditional powers John Battle, Cave Spring, Carroll County and Richlands.

Paolucci gained confidence and a plan in a mid-season relief pitching role against AHS. Working with experienced pitching coach Jimmy Nave Saturday, Paolucci frustrated the Falcons by changing speeds and hitting the corners of the plate with a change-up, curve and fastball.

“I was trying to keep [Abingdon] off balance and make them swing,” Paolucci said. “I feel comfortable on the mound. That’s where I’ve always played.”

Senior Tyler Arnold supplied a comfort zone for VHS in the fifth inning, flawlessly executing a suicide squeeze bunt to score Dale Stine.

“Tyler is our best bunter,” VHS coach Mark Daniels said. “He got the ball down and Dale read the play perfectly.”

Stine was running for Cody Read, who reached on a walk. Stine advanced to third on a long fly ball by Casey Stallard.

Virginia High managed seven hits against AHS junior Taylor Read. Jared Tate collected a single and double for the 8-3 Bearcats, who have a team batting average in the .310 range.

AHS senior centerfielder Nathan Hagy earned raves from the large crowd with four running catches. Two of Hagy’s defensive gems resulted in double plays.

“I knew that I had to be on top of my game because we couldn’t find a hole,” Paolucci said.

AHS coach Mark Francisco was impressed with the mature approach of the VHS pitcher.

“[Paolucci] threw really well, and we never made the adjustments,” Francisco said. “We were swinging at bad pitches and taking good pitches. It was a great effort by Virginia High.”

Abingdon, which advanced to the Group AA quarterfinals season, currently leads the Southwest District with a 4-0 record. Francisco game away frustrated from the latest effort of his team.

“It just didn’t seem like we came out ready,” Francisco said. “We definitely didn’t deserve to win.”

The Bearcats, who have just two senior starters, were coming off an emotional 4-2 loss against Clinch Mountain District rival Lebanon Thursday.

“We played really well during our tournament in Myrtle Beach, then we saw a great pitcher (Cody Compton) at Lebanon,” Daniels said.  “Abingdon has been playing great baseball, so we knew we had to play an awesome game tonight.”

Daniels has been delighted with the emergence of the unflappable Paolucci, who earned his first victory at the varsity level with a six-hitter against Georgetown, S.C., two weeks ago.

“I felt like if we could get Josh one run that he could take care of the rest,” Daniels said. “Whatever pitch Coach Nave called, Josh came through.”

It added up to a night to remember for the new Bearcat hero.

“That was probably the best game I’ve ever pitched,” Paolucci said.
 
Abingdon 000 000 0–0 2 1
Virginia High 000 010 x–1 7 0
Read and Pope. Paolucci and Chafin. W–Paolucci (2-0). L–Read (1-1). HR–none.