The opening game of the Class 5A baseball playoffs Tuesday night at Chapin High School was quite literally a 1-man show.
Pitcher Cade Austin had a near-perfect effort on the mound for the Eagles. He also accounted for his team's lone runs, including a walkoff RBI fielder's choice in the Bottom 8th of the 2-1 victory over Carolina Forest.
The University of South Carolina commit managed to beat the throw to first base and avoid an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. It was a fitting ending to a contest which saw Austin strike out 10 on 84 pitches and retire 19 consecutive batters in 6 1/3 innings before allowing 2 hits in the Top 7th.
Afterwards, Austin credited his curveball and offspeed pitches for his effectiveness against the Panthers. He also acknowledged thinking about completing the possible perfect game and having to regroup once it was lost. 
"Cade kept us in the game," Chapin head coach Scott McLeod said. "We were lucky to win. When we did hit it, it was right at somebody and we're not doing a very good job with our approach with people on base." 
The game was 0-0 through the first 5 innings as both Austin and Carolina Forest's David Wellons controlled the game. Austin's single accounted for the lone hit allowed by either pitcher during that span.
In the Bottom 6th, Chris Veach hit a leadoff single and managed to steal 2nd and 3rd base. With 1 out, Austin grounded a single into leftfield to break the scoreless tie. 
Austin was 2 outs away from a perfect game when Derek Rogers blooped a single into centerfield. After getting the 2nd out, Austin gave up another single to Blake Cox. 
On an 0-1 pitch, Josh Douglass sent a flyball into right-centerfield. As both Sam Greer and Tyler Teal converged towards the ball, it ended up falling on the ground and allowing Cox to reach homeplate.
"We've got a routine flyball in right-centerfield," McLeod said. "Both of them are calling it. Neither one of them is listening, so they run together and the ball drops and messed up a really good game by Cade." 
Austin retired Carolina Forest in order in the Top 8th. Jarrett Whitley reached 1st after getting hit by Wellons and stole 2nd and 3rd base after a David Ross strikeout.
Mellons, who finished with 7 strikeouts and allowed just 3 hits, was relieved by Douglass. He intentially walked Veach and Teal to load the bases, setting the stage for Austin's heroics.
"We come up with the bases loaded and hit a bang-bang play at 1st base to end the game," McLeod said. "That's a tough way to do it. But sometimes, like I told the kids, you've got to be good in these playoffs. But, you've got to be lucky, too." 
Up next for Chapin on Thursday is Summerville, a 3-0 winner over Cane Bay.