American Fork players dog-pile each other in celebration just after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Carson Hilton has covered high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News since 2022.
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It was a shaky start for American Fork’s defense in Game 2 of the 6A championship series on Saturday.
Skyridge had three base hits in the first inning, and the Cavemen’s sophomore pitcher, Cruz Adams, walked another batter as the Falcons scored two runs.
The second inning was much of the same, as American Fork had a pair of errors and gave up another run.
Thankfully for the Cavemen their offense was having success, and once their defense figured things out, Skyridge was shut out as American Fork won its second consecutive 6A title with a 5-3 victory.
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Spanish Fork catcher Cache Poulson (5) hoists up the championship trophy after the Dons defeated Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players celebrate just after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players and coaches pose for a photo with the championship trophy after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players dog-pile each other in celebration just after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players celebrate and pose around the championship trophy after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork infielder Talon Willardson (9) looks for a new bat after breaking his during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series against Skyridge, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players cheer on one of their teammates as they bat against Skyridge during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork infielder Bode Gaggero (1) celebrates his two-run home run against Skyridge with his teammates during the final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork infielder Bode Gaggero (1) celebrates his two-run home run against Skyridge with his teammates during the final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Skyridge third baseman Brady Buttars (20) throws the ball to first base after fielding it off an American Fork hit during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Skyridge’s Bo Larson (14) celebrates his run against American Fork during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork infielder Jens Price (2) celebrates his double against Skyridge during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork first baseman Kenny Johnson (17) tosses the ball to first base for an out against Skyridge and to end the inning during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players dog-pile each other in celebration just after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork coaches and players dog-pile each other in celebration just after defeating Skyridge 5-3 in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Skyridge players pose with the runner-up trophy after they were defeated 5-3 by American Fork in the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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American Fork players cheer for one of their teammates as they bat against Skyridge during the second and final game of the 6A baseball state championship series, held at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Saturday, May 23, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
“Once (Adams) started picking up the tempo, our defense started to click,” said American Fork head coach Jarod Ingersoll. “It all starts with the guy on the bump, and he did a hell of a job today, so we’re super proud of him.”
Offensively, it all started with leadoff hitter Bode Gaggero. In his first two at-bats, Gaggero had two home runs and tallied three RBIs.
An RBI triple from Talon Willardson gave the Cavemen a 4-3 lead, which they never gave up.
“The championship, every game is going to be close,” Gaggero said. “It’s hard to blow teams out like that...
“I just did my job, trusted my teammates, try to get the next guy in the bat.”
Miles Robinson, Rip Roberts and Zayden Bye all pulled in runs for Skyridge, but after the second inning, Adams and the American Fork defense gave up only two base hits.
“I don’t know why I usually give up three in the first couple of innings,” Adams said. “I did that against Lehi, and then I settled in...
“We know these guys are after us. We know they’re a solid program, but our motto is ‘Stick with us, focus on what we got.’ Honestly, with the talent that we have, and incorporating that in us, man, we’re pretty much unstoppable.”
Even with the defensively heavy game, American Fork held only a one-run lead through nearly five innings, but senior catcher and BYU commit Cache Poulson put the contest away in the top of the seventh inning when he hit a home run for the 5-3 lead.
In four years with American Fork, Poulson has now won three state championships. He’ll be joining the Cougars later this summer.
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“I’m pumped,” Poulson said. “It’s going to be a cool experience. I’ll get going here in the summer, just playing games and doing a little summer school. I’m looking forward to the next chapter, but definitely going to miss this and playing with the boys.”
Thursday’s championship was the fourth win in six years for American Fork. It was also the sixth championship under Ingersoll.
He said it still never gets old.
“It feels better and special, and each one’s a little different,” Ingersoll said. “But, it’s something that we love in our community, and our school can be really proud of.”
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