Pitching earned Chapin righthander Cade Austin an offer he accepted with the University of South Carolina.
Thursday night at Segra Park, the future Gamecock displayed a productive bat in leading Chapin/Newberry to a season-opening 10-3 victory over Lexington.
Austin had 3 hits which led to 4 RBI. His 1st at bat was a 2-run double to put Chapin-Newberry on the board.
Lawson Brand followed with a RBI sacrifice fly and J.P. Hornick belted an RBI double to make it 4-0.
Austin pitched 2 innings, giving up an RBI double play to future South Carolina teammate David Cromer. 
Chapin/Newberry extended its lead to 7-1 in the 4th. Andrew Finch and Chris Hood scored on a throwing error following Bryce Medlock's single and he scored on Austin's single.
An RBI fielder's choice by Jacob Lebron brought Lexington to within 7-2. In the 5th, Stanton Hester singled home 2 runners and Austin followed an inning later with a solo home run over the leftfield run to make it 10-2.
Lebron collected his 2nd RBI in the Bottom of the 6th. The game was called following the top 7th as lights were reportedly made unavailable for use.
Blair Jones was 1 of 4 relievers who pitched 1 inning for Chapin/Newberry and picked up with win. 
Chapin/Newberry (1-0) returns to action Tuesday against West Columbia at Midlands Baseball Complex. Lexington (1-1) travels to Thomas Sumter Academy to face Dalzell. 
West Columbia 
splits with CIU
After Wednesday's rainout with Camden Post 17, West Columbia had a non-divisional matchup at Columbia International.
In Game 1, West Columbia pounded the Rams 9-2. University of South Carolina commit Kameron Dunlap and Dylan Williamson each had 3 hits and 3 RBI and Bryce Metts pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief for the victory. 
Game 2 saw Columbia International score 6 runs in the Top 1st and take a 9-0 lead through the 1st 3 innings. 
West Columbia rallied with 7 runs in the 4th and 5th innings before losing 12-7. 
Trent Frye had 3 hits and 4 RBI, Micah Sanders had 3 hits and he and Jacob Lewis drove in 2 runs for the Rams. Airport's Parker Whittle had 2 RBI and Sam LaFrage and Andon Dodds each had 2 hits for West Columbia (2-1).