A 2-1 pitch from Caleb Anderson (Wichita State) was launched off the bat of Isaiah Barkett (Stetson), who watched RJ Austin (Vanderbilt) spring back to the center field wall. Austin searched for the metal fence, timed his jump, propelled his body skyward to reach his right arm over the fence and made a miraculous catch that sent Red Wilson Field into a frenzy.

Austin had the fans and his teammates in shock as jaws dropped around the ballpark. Austin acted like it was a can-of-corn play and tossed the ball back into the infield as he’s done thousands of times before.

Except this time it was special, as Austin displayed the athleticism that’s made him one of the most show-stopping players in the Cape League. A unique blend of speed, power, finesse and defensive prowess, Austin’s highlight-reel catch showcased how dynamic the super-utilityman can be.

“I got a good read off the bat and went straight back, felt the fence, and everything else just felt like it was in slow motion and I caught it,” Austin said. “I was like dang, that was a great catch so it was just one of those things where the game slowed down a little bit and I was able to make the catch.”

Anderson turned around and watched along with the 1,600 people in attendance as Austin glided like Ken Griffey Jr. to steal a home run away from Barkett. Anderson said he hit his location with the pitch and thought it was gone.

Anderson was stunned when Austin came down with the ball and he tipped his red Y-D cap to his center fielder while Austin went back to get his hat, which laid on the ground next to his landing spot.

The Wichita State right-hander said he’s witnessed robbed home runs before but shared that he’s never seen someone steal back one of his own pitches. Anderson called it a “unique experience” and remarked Austin as “unbelievable.”

“I did think it was gone,” Anderson said. “Even if it would have left I wouldn't be too irritated because I hit my spot, so the whole time I was like, ‘I hit my spot, like I gotta get reward for something,’ and RJ hit the wall like Spider-Man so it was cool to watch because I had a good view for it and it was a big time play.”

Will Tippett (South Carolina) jogged over to center to back up Austin and had the closest vantage point to his catch. Tippett chest-bumped his former travel ball teammate and said, “atta boy, that’s how we do it.”

Tippett said, “I saw him go up for it, his timing was perfect. I wasn’t surprised. That’s just RJ.” Tippett had a special game himself and hit his first home run with the Red Sox. He called Austin a “special talent” and said he’s seen game-changing plays from him time and time again.

Austin said he’s only made one other catch like that in his life and it came last summer with the Red Sox in a similar spot at Red Wilson Field. He called the grab on Saturday better because it was a line drive and a more difficult catch.

It didn’t take long for Austin to cement his mark on the 7-7 tie between Y-D and Falmouth as he erased the Red Sox's deficit in his next at-bat an inning later. Y-D was down 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh before Austin hammered the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for a game-tying, two-run homer.

“Those big moments like that, it's just everything that you work for,” Austin said. “When I was a young kid, hitting in the cage with my dad every single day just working on two outs, runner on second, tie game, those big moments like that I’ve worked for all my life so just happy to show it today.”

Austin said, “I grew up just wanting to be a ballplayer,” and noted how he worked tirelessly on the ballfields in Georgia to become “a great baseball player.” Austin has proved his greatness in his second summer with Y-D and has a .348 average with a .979 OPS.

A player built for the biggest moments, Austin has shown his clutch characteristic throughout his collegiate career where he’s played a myriad of different positions. Austin said he plays with a chip on his shoulder and unwavering tenacity, which are characteristics that have propelled him as one of the best players in the country.

“No matter who’s on the mound, I don't care who we're playing against, what the score is, I'm trying to compete and try to win no matter what,” Austin said. “I'm one of those players where I'm trying to win no matter the circumstance, so if I have a bad game and we win I'm doing great, but if I have a good game and we lose I'll be upset. No matter what I'm trying to win.”

Photo by Sophie Solarino