ABINGDON, Va. – So, what’s the deal with this freshman catcher for Abingdon High School’s baseball team?

While the jury might still be out this early into his varsity career, judging by statements from those around the program the kid knows how to execute when it comes to a demanding position.

“He pops the ball well,” said Abingdon junior pitcher Jett Humphreys. “What I mean by that is he really makes it look like a strike even if it’s not. He blocks it well too and has been great at the plate.”

That nifty ninth grader is Judge Dillow and his two-run single in the second inning – to go along with his sure-handed play behind the dish – highlighted Abingdon’s 2-0 verdict over the Virginia High Bearcats on Friday night as the Falcons completed a season sweep of the Bristolians.

Abingdon (17-2) prevailed in a game that played out much differently than the Falcons’ 15-2 victory over VHS back on March 12 as the pitching was simply superb.

Virginia High starter Bhraedon Meredith allowed just five singles, while notching a pair of strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work.

Meanwhile, left-hander Beckett Dotson and righty Jett Humphreys notched a collective nine strikeouts in teaming for a two-hit shutout.

“It was an interesting game,” said AHS coach Mark Francisco. “We’ll take the win.”

The only time Meredith was overruled on Friday came on a clutch swing by Dillow.

After consecutive one-out singles by Beckett Dotson and Daniel Fellhauer in the bottom of the second, Dillow smacked an 0-2 pitch from Meredith to center field in bringing courtesy runner Braylen DeBusk and Fellhauer around to score.

“I had two strikes on me,” Dillow said. “So, I just had to get the job done for the team and get those runs in.”

Dillow is making up for lost time as a high ankle sprain suffered in the VHSL Region 3D basketball tournament hobbled him for several weeks and kept him out of the lineup.

He made his varsity debut on April 10 against Science Hill and since then has played in nine games, six of which have been starts.

“I’m probably 100 percent now,” Dillow said.

The newcomer is 100 percent appreciative of handling a pitching staff loaded with talent.

On Friday, Exhibit A was Dotson and Exhibit B was Humphreys.

Cody Griffith’s second-inning single and Dominic White’s fifth-inning double were the only hits Virginia High (8-8) managed.

Landon Turman and Humphreys combined on a three-hitter in a 6-3 win over John Battle on Tuesday, while sophomore Aidan Woods pitched a two-hitter in Thursday’s 11-1 win over Ridgeview.

“When you’ve got pitchers like we do it makes it really easy behind the plate,” Dillow said.

Following the graduation of Luke Bedwell, Abingdon’s starting catcher last season, Alex Hawkins and Dillow have handled the receiving duties in 2024.

“We’re deep at the catcher position,” Francisco said.

As we’ve already covered, the same goes at pitcher.

Humphreys was extremely efficient in notching the save as he needed just 24 pitches to get the final seven outs. He and Dotson each picked off a VHS baserunner as well.

“I never know when they are going to hit it, I just throw it in there and if they hit it, they hit it,” Humphreys said. “I’ve got the defense behind me.”

Neither team could get anything going offensively on Friday as the teams combined for five errors and each squad hit into an inning-ending double play in the fourth inning. Fellhauer (2-for-2, hit by pitch) of the Falcons was the only player from either team with multiple hits.

“Obviously, we left way too many men on base, but hey, Virginia High made the plays when they needed to and it came down to that last inning,” Francisco said. “We’re fortunate to get the win.”

Meredith and reliever Luke Whitt (who recorded the final two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning) joined hurlers from Lebanon (April 6) and Science Hill (April 10) as the only guys to hold Abingdon to two runs or less in a game in 2024.

Meredith did not have a single 1-2-3 inning but kept the Falcons at bay.

“I feel like we were seeing the ball perfect, we just weren’t putting the greatest swings on it or giving ourselves the best chance we could,” Humphreys said.

Virginia High coach Adam Moore liked what he saw from his ace.

“They are a tough lineup, the best in the area for sure,” Moore said. “They are tough outs and have good approaches. Bhraedon’s fastball can get up there and when his curveball’s working a little bit with his other offspeed pitch, he can be effective against quality opponents. He’s capable of beating anyone when he’s on.”

It was the third straight loss for VHS, which dropped a 4-3 decision at Richlands on Tuesday and suffered a 15-6 setback to Lebanon on Thursday night at DeVault Stadium.

“It was a tough week,” Moore said. “I know I’m exhausted for sure and it’s a grind when you get those [rescheduled games due to rainouts] on top of each other. Our kids fought through a lot this week. A tough loss [Thursday] night, tough luck at Richlands. To come out today and compete, I was pleased with the finish to the week.”

Southwest District games with Graham, Marion and Richlands await.

“One at a time approach here,” Moore said. “We know what’s ahead of us. Today was a good sign that things are good to go in the right direction next week.”

Abingdon hasn’t lost to Virginia High since 2017 and Francisco happens to be a 1988 VHS graduate and a former infielder for the Bearcats.

The Falcons have already clinched the Mountain 7 District regular-season championship and are currently the top seed for the Region 3D tourney, but Francisco still sees room for improvement as the postseason looms.

“I’ve got to coach better and we’ve got to play better if we’re going to keep playing much longer,” Francisco said. “Anytime you can get a win, you’re satisfied and I thought our kids played hard, but we’ve got to play better.”

A clutch knock by that freshman turned out to rule in the Falcons' favor on Tuesday. You could say Judge sentenced the Bearcats to defeat.

“That was really big hit, obviously,” Francisco said. “He’s playing well.”

Meredith, Whitt (6) and Hucks. Dotson, Humphreys (5) and Dillow. W – Dotson. L – Meredith. S – Humphreys. HR – none.