High school baseball: American Fork edges out Skyridge in Game 1 of 6A championship

Published: May 22, 2026, 10:23 p.m. MDT

American Fork’s Bode Gaggero (1) is greeted by his teammates as he returns to the dugout after scoring against Skyridge during game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

By Tommy Bailey

While its offense has carried it most of the way in this year’s 6A state tournament, No. 1 American Fork found itself in quite the pitcher’s duel in Game 1 of the state championship series against No. 7 Skyridge on Friday.

But the Cavemen did just enough to get the 2-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Both teams finished with just five hits apiece and both had two errors. Kenny Johnson threw a gem of a game for the Cavemen, tossing a complete game with seven strikeouts and just one walk.

Johnson not only took care of business on the mound, but he was quick to contribute at the plate as well, as American Fork got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double from him.

“Kenny Johnson has been an absolute stalwart for us,” said American Fork head coach Jarod Ingersoll. “We know what we’re going to get every time on the mound. He’s a complete competitor. We really had to gut it up because Skyridge is a great offensive team, and he did a great job on them.

“Our guys also made some big plays on defense. We threw a couple of guys out on the bases, which were big outs. We got some stuff we have to clean up. We pressed a little bit. We lost our approach and that was the difference.”

Skyridge plays American Fork during game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Skyridge’s Grayson Bauer (17) pitches against American Fork during game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Skyridge‘s Luke Robley (2) celebrates after safely reaching third during the first inning of game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series against American Fork at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

American Fork’s Kenny Johnson (17) prepares to deliver a pitch against Skyridge during game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

American Fork’s Kenny Johnson (17) celebrates after pitching a complete game to defeat Skyridge 2-1 in game 1 of the 6A baseball championship series at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Skyridge took advantage of an American Fork throwing error in the top half of the fourth inning to tie the game up at 1-1, but the Cavemen didn’t wait long to answer, getting the lead right back the very next inning with a sac fly from Cache Poulson that proved to be the game-winner.

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One key area American Fork wants to clean up going into Game 2 is the offensive display and taking better approaches at the plate.

“We weren’t on time at all,” Ingersoll said. “We talked about them playing free and we felt we were a little bit tight. We have got to find a way to be more relaxed and better competitors in the box.”

While American Fork knows it is in good shape as it looks to hoist another championship trophy, Ingersoll knows his players can’t get too ahead of themselves.

“Getting the first game is obviously huge,” he said. “These games are never easy. Skyridge is a hungry team and our kids are, too. It’s a big step in the right direction. You got to win one game at a time and tomorrow that starts with Game 2.”

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