Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School boys tennis team earned the tournament title in the Utah Valley Ashton Invitational, a 16-team event played at local high schools on April 17 and 18 which included many of the best programs in Class 6A, 5A and 4A.

The competition included four singles and three doubles levels. The Cavemen swept Wasatch in the first round 7-0. Continuing in the winner’s bracket, they defeated Orem 6-1 and Desert Hills 4-3 to advance to the trophy round against 19-time and defending 5A state champion Timpview.

In No. 1 Singles final, American Fork senior Braeden Johnson defeated Ryan Austin 6-2, 6-4. Caveman sophomore Camden Johnson prevailed in Second Singles over Rowan Halladay 6-3, 6-0.

In No. 3 Singles, American Fork senior Matt Davis fought through a tough second set with DJ Gunnell but prevailed 6-3, 5-7 (10-3). At the No. 4 Singles spot, Caveman freshman Cade Egbert topped Nathan Fellars 6-2, 6-4.

In First Doubles, American Fork junior Sam Karras and sophomore Sam Fairbanks had to come from behind to oust Danny Beutte and Tommy Gauff 4-6, 6-3 (10-1).

The most challenging match of the Finals was in the No. 2 Doubles bracket, where Caveman juniors Phil Steed and Drew Jacobsmeyer survived to triumph over Levi Teemant and Gabe Balzotti 7-6 (7-4), 4-6 (13-11).

The Cavemen suffered their only loss of the title round in Third Doubles, where freshmen Broxton Barron and Grant Jensen put up a fight but ultimately bowed to Blake Baker and Sean Yamada 6-1, 3-6 (10-2).

This event was excellent preparation for the defending 6A state champions as they enter the rugged Region 3 tournament to be played April 23-24 at Corner Canyon as well as the state tournament to follow on May 2, 7 and 9.

Photos by Sam Penrod.

Megan Wallgren / American Fork Citizen

American Fork Track and Field athletes turned in a strong, balanced performance as hosts of the Caveman Classic Invitational on April 17.

The defending state champions Varsity Combined team won the day with 169 points. The Cavemen girls won the girls team title with 98 points and the boys placed third in their division with 71 points.

American Fork senior Ginger Ballstaedt led the way with points in multiple events. She claimed the gold medal in the long jump with a personal-record, state-qualifying jump of 18-feet-2-inches.

She also earned silver in the 200-meter Dash, crossing in 25.98 seconds, a personal best. In addition, Ballstaedt also helped the Cavemen capture the Girls 4x200m relay title.

That relay team posted a combined time of 1:43.67 in the event. The gold-medal squad also included freshman Ivey Jacobson, senior Hannah Cluff and junior Charlotte Anderson.

Topping the podium in the Girls Pole Vault was junior Aleah Godfrey. Her vault of 11-3 feet was a personal best and state-qualifying mark.

Senior Ella Edwards turned in a standout performance on the track, capturing the bronze in the 100m Hurdles in 16.35 seconds, placing fifth in the 300m hurdles in 49.18 seconds, and adding an eighth place in the 200m in 26.80 seconds, a personal best.

Senior Kaden Fairbanks also scored in multiple events, placing third in the 200m Dash with a state-qualifying time of 21.74 seconds and fourth in the 100m in 11 seconds flat.

Distance standout Sophie Steiger garnered the bronze medal in the 3200m Run with a time of 11:29.79.

In the field, Caveman senior Madden Jensen contributed silver medals in two boys throwing events, in the discus with a state-qualifying mark of 147-11 feet and in the shot put at 50-9.25 feet.

Senior James Sherratt added a second-place finish in the javelin with a throw of 147-10 feet.

American Fork’s Girls 4x100m relay team also produced a silver medal. Their combined time of 49.66 seconds also met the state standard. Running for the Cavemen were sophomore Rickeisha O’Keefe, Jacobson, sophomore Abby Slater and freshman Britton Woods.

Additional state-qualifying performances came from sophomore Chase Hejny placing fifth in the 3200m in a personal-best 9:15.34; senior Tyler Zabriskie placing fifth in the long jump with a PR mark of 21-1.75 feet; and senior Hannah Cluff finishing fifth in the girls long jump at 16-6.75 feet, a personal best.

With strong midseason performances, the American Fork team continues to build momentum leading into the upcoming region meet and the state championships in mid-May.

Photos by Sam Penrod.

GINGER BALLSTAEDT

GRADE: 12

SPORT: Track and Field

EVENTS: Sprints, Long Jump

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Long Jump: 18-2 feet; 100m: 12.53 seconds; 200m: 25.98 seconds

COACH’S COMMENTS:

Ginger has been on fire all season and this month has hit a new level. Her long jump is ranked #2 in the state and is only 3.5 inches away from our school record. Her 100m time is 6th all-time at AFHS. She has been an integral part of our state qualifying 4x100m and 4x200m relays that are also amongst the top three in the state. Ginger has worked very hard this season, and we are seeing the results.

– Coach Brett Myrup

Sponsored by the Utah National Guard.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork baseball team has won each of the first two Region 3 series 2-1 against two good teams including previously-undefeated and top-ranked Lone Peak. The Cavemen are now tied with the Knights for first place in the league at 4-2 and are 9-7 overall.

March 27-28: Cavemen go 2-1 at tourney

During the Red Rock Classic at Utah Tech in St. George, American Fork topped Pleasant Grove 9-3 and Arbor View (Las Vegas, NV) 9-0 but lost by a single run to Snow Canyon 7-6.

The Cavemen trailed the Vikings until the third inning but stayed in the driver’s seat after that. Sophomore Cruz Adams earned the win on the bump, striking out nine against three walks and three runs in five innings of work. Senior Hanks Jacobsen threw two hitless innings in relief.

Senior outfielder Boston Jones provided the offensive highlights, slugging a double and a home run in three at-bats for two RBI. Adams helped himself with a solo homer and senior infielder Gavin Robinson drove two runs across. Sophomore outfielder Ty Holmstead scored twice.

Senior Kenny Johnson gave up a single hit and three walks against five strikeouts to claim the shutout over the Aggies. Sophomore Matt Ladd finished out the contest. Senior outfielder River Litke sparked the offense with a double, three RBI and a run scored.

Senior catcher Cache Poulson and Robinson each had three hits including a double plus one RBI, and Robinson also scored. Junior infielder Colbey Larsen added two hits, two RBI and a run, while Jacobsen scored three times as a pinch runner.

Against the Warriors, American Fork had the early lead but gave it up in the second inning and never got it back. Sophomore Brecken Jensen did the bulk of the mound work and had a solid outing as senior Tino Darby took the loss. Johnson drove in two runs and scored one. Robinson doubled and homered.

March 31: Jordan 7, American Fork 6

The Cavemen opened Region 3 play at home against the Beetdiggers, a baseball-only member of the league, and the visitors prevailed in a tight contest after plating five runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Junior Talon Willardson held Jordan to two runs in six innings and also drove in two runs. Sophomore Matt Ladd got the loss. Johnson had three hits including a double. Senior infielder Bode Gaggero, Jones and Adams posted one RBI and one run apiece.

April 3: American Fork 5, Jordan 4 (8)

After weather postponed the second game, the Cavemen again hosted the Beetdiggers, but this time they prevailed in an extra-inning, back-and-forth thriller. Jordan was ahead entering the bottom of the sixth but gave up a run to force a tie and then American Fork got the clincher in the eighth.

Adams struck out nine in seven innings and claimed the win. Jacobsen and Gaggero combined to shut the door in the eighth. Litke had two hits with three RBI while Adams drove in a run and Gaggero homered to account for the scoring. Johnson doubled twice and scored once. Robinson made two runs.

April 4: American Fork 8, Jordan 2

After two drum-tight contests, the Cavemen left no doubt in the tiebreaker as they took the lead with three runs in the third and never looked back. Johnson went the distance on the mound in the win.

Sophomore infielder Jens Price and Willardson each blasted a home run and drove three across. Poulson singled and tripled for one RBI.

April 11: Riverton 7, American Fork 6

In a non-league contest, the homestanding Silverwolves plated a run in the bottom of the seventh to get the taut victory after the Cavemen had rallied to tie it in the late innings. The visitors used six pitchers in the game and Holmstead was credited for the loss but also provided three RBI.

Gaggero, Adams and Litke each drove in one of the other runs. Johnson, Litke and Willardson posted two hits apiece and Robinson scored twice.

April 14: American Fork 9, Lone Peak 3

The Cavemen’s steady offensive production at home allowed them to craft a comfortable win to hand the Knights their first loss of the season. Willardson earned the distinction by scattering eight hits with six strikeouts against a single walk for the full game.

At the plate, Jones went 3-for-3 with three RBI and one run himself. Johnson singled and doubled and scored twice while Robinson hit a triple and made a run. Holmstead added an RBI and two runs, Price had two RBI and one run and sophomore Cash Taiese scored twice as a pinch runner.

April 15: Lone Peak 5, American Fork 4

The Knights responded on their own diamond with a victory to tie the series. They got three runs in the fifth for a 4-3 advantage, but the Cavemen tied it in the sixth. Lone Peak managed to get the winning run across in the bottom of the seventh. Johnson got the start and Adams took the loss.

Robinson made two hits, drove in two and scored once to lift the offense. Litke contributed an RBI and scored twice. Johnson had the other RBI and Price the other run. Poulson made three hits including a double.

April 17: American Fork 4, Lone Peak 3 (8)

Back at home, the Cavemen trailed the Knights for almost the entire contest but managed to push one run across in the bottom of the seventh to tie it and then got one more in the bottom of the eighth to win the pitcher’s duel.

Holmstead had seven strikeouts in his five innings and was relieved by Gaggero, who struck out four and walked one in two innings. Adams got the honor of the win by retiring the side in the eighth including two strikeouts.

The series against the Pioneers begins at home on Tuesday (Apr. 21), American Fork will play at Lehi the next day, and then the Pioneers will return on Friday (Apr. 24). All the varsity games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Rob Shelton / America Fork Citizen

American Fork’s varsity softball team opened Region 3 play with five games in 11 days, going 1-4 in a stretch that featured some of the toughest competition in the state.

However, buried in the middle of that run was a performance that showed exactly what this team is capable of – a 19-1 blowout of Corner Canyon that was as dominant as anything the Cavemen have produced this season.

March 24: Lehi 7, American Fork 0

American Fork ran into a buzzsaw in the Region 3 opener. Lehi’s Abbi Harroun was as good as any pitcher the Cavemen will face all season – 13 strikeouts, no walks and just two hits allowed over five and two-thirds innings.

Eleni Lisonbee competed in the circle for all seven innings and limited the damage to three earned runs while keeping the Cavemen in the game defensively.

Nataanii Fielding led the offense with two hits in three at-bats, showing the kind of contact ability that will serve the Cavemen well as region play develops.

March 25: Herriman 6, American Fork 1

Herriman came out swinging, and the Cavemen answered with some of their best defense of the season. Mazie Walters went the full seven innings on the mound, striking out six and giving the Cavemen every chance to stay in the game.

Keaton Routson led the offense from the No. 9 hole with two hits in three at-bats, and Sara Jensen drove in American Fork’s run from the cleanup spot going 1-for-3.

The Cavemen fielded without a single error – a clean defensive effort against a Herriman team that accumulated 10 hits. Lancaster was simply too good on the other side, but this was not a team that quit.

March 30: Springville 10, American Fork 0

American Fork’s defense came out sharp in the early going. Sydney Adamson hauled in a pop fly at third base and right fielder Karissa Shelton made two more catches to help keep the Springville offense in check.

Springville found the scoreboard in the first and second innings, but the American Fork defense kept competing. Then the Red Devils broke through in the bottom of the third with three runs, and five more in the fourth ended it under the mercy rule.

Three Springville home runs – by Haveron, Housley and Sjoberg – were the difference. Mazie Walters started and gave the Cavemen three innings before Lisonbee came on in relief.

Miah Walters – twin sister of Mazie and the anchor behind the plate – went 1-for-2 to lead the offense. Lacie Fleming, Lisonbee and Adamson each singled to account for all four team hits. Andi Gardner drew a walk and swiped a base, continuing to be a pest on the bases whenever she reaches.

March 31: American Fork 19, Corner Canyon 1

This was the one. The Cavemen came out with something to prove after back-to-back losses, and they made sure everyone in the park knew it. American Fork scored 15 runs in the first inning – a masterpiece of patient, aggressive hitting that had the Cavemen dugout electric from the opening at-bat.

Jensen drew a walk to score. Lisonbee walked to score. Routson walked to score. Mazie Walters singled to drive in another. Naomi Silversmith walked, Gardner singled and then the big hits started coming.

Fielding doubled to score two, Fleming singled to score two, Routson doubled to score two more, Maziie Walters doubled to cash in two more runs and Gardner capped the inning with a run-scoring single. Fifteen runs. One inning. The Cavemen weren’t done.

An error in the second extended the lead to 16-0, and American Fork added three more in the third on a Gardner triple to right field, a Fleming single and a Corner Canyon error. Mazie Walters came on in relief to close it out – a complete team effort from wire to wire.

Andi Gardner was the offensive star, going 4-for-4 with three singles and a triple while driving in three runs. Routson, Fleming and Walters each also drove in three. Fielding and Jensen each had multiple hits.

Fleming and Gardner each stole multiple bases as part of a five-steal team total. American Fork collected 16 hits and six walks without committing a single error.

April 3: Skyridge 21, American Fork 8

The Cavemen put up a fight against one of the region’s top teams, scoring eight runs and racking up 14 hits against a Skyridge squad that’s as dangerous as any in 6A.

Jensen was outstanding, going 3-for-3 with a single, a double and another single. Gardner added three hits of her own and Lisonbee went 2-for-3. Adamson, Fleming and Jensen each drove in two runs – the kind of offensive production that will carry this team in close games as the season progresses.

Skyridge’s Walston was the difference, going 4-for-5 with eight RBI including a three-run homer. The Falcons had a big second and third inning that put the game out of reach early, but American Fork’s 14 hits showed this lineup can compete with anyone when it makes contact.

American Fork is 6-8 overall and gaining experience with every region game. The Corner Canyon performance is a reminder of just how explosive this lineup can be – and the Cavemen will need that firepower as the second half of the region schedule begins.

Megan Wallgren / American Fork Citizen

American Fork’s track and field teams showed depth and talent at the Timpanogos Alpha Invitational on Saturday (Apr. 4), at Timpanogos High School, placing third overall in the combined team competition with 69 points. Region 3 rival Lone Peak claimed the title in the 42-team event.

The Caveman boys finished seventh of 35 teams in the boys varsity standings with 35 points and the girls finished fifth of 35 in the girls varsity competition, earning 34 points.

Distance runners set the tone early. Sophomore Logan Wagstaff led the charge with a gold-medal finish in the 3200-meter run, breaking the tape in 9:35.91, a personal best. Crossing second was American Fork junior Cayden Vukich, finishing in 9:39.36.

In the girls 1600-meter run, freshman Mae Glassford claimed the silver medal at 5:01.17 with junior Skye Jensen close behind, finishing in the bronze position at 5:01.57. Both were state-qualifying times.

Junior Shay Smith added points in the 3200m girls run with a fifth-place finish in 11:23.83.

Senior sprinter Paris Laycock placed eighth in the Girls 100m Dash with a time of 12.59 seconds, punching her ticket to the state meet.

In the field events, junior Aleah Godfrey cleared 10-feet-9-inches for a bronze medal plus ensuring an appearance at the state meet. Showing the team’s depth, sophomore Hazel Jenkins added a sixth-place finish with a vault of 10-3, also a state-qualifying mark.

Senior Madden Jensen stood out with strong throwing performances, earning bronze in the Discus with a personal-best distance of 158-feet-2-inches. He placed fourth in the shot put with a throw of 50-0.5. Jensen qualified for state in both events.

Senior Javelin thrower James Sherratt took fifth place in the event with a throw of 145-1.0.

Rounding out the Caveman scoring efforts were the relay teams. The girls 4×100 m team qualified for state with a bronze-medal finish in 49.44 seconds. Running for American Fork were sophomore Rickeisha O’Keefe, freshmen Ivy Jacobsen and Britton Woods, and senior Hannah Cluff.

The Varsity Boys 4×200 team added points with a seventh-place finish in 1:33.68. The squad included seniors David Dean and Ocean Bishop, junior Damian Wilkinson and sophomore Benjamin Taveras.

With a podium finish in the combined standings and balanced performances across the board, the Cavemen showed they can compete with the best.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork boys volleyball team has played in three single-day tournaments and a lot of other matches and is showing improvement in their most recent contests. The team has earned a 5-14 overall mark and is 1-3 in the league after the first round of Region 3 action.

Following is a summary of results to date. Statistical information for this team is unavailable.

• March 7: Cavemen go 2-1 in tourney – The Cavemen opened the season at the Wolfpack Classic Tournament with three contests in one day that included some close competition. They lost against Mountain View in two sets with the Bruins winning 25-13, 26-24. They rallied to top Murray 2-1 with scores of 25-22, 23-25, 15-10, and also defeated West Field in two games 28-26, 25-16.
• March 10: Salem Hills 3, American Fork 0 – As in the starting tournament, the Cavemen played a tight set at the end, but the Skyhawks were able to seal the sweep 25-19, 25-16, 25-22.  
• March 12: Spanish Fork 3, American Fork 0 – The Cavemen also had a close middle game with the Dons, but the home squad still prevailed 25-16, 25-23, 25-17.
• March 14: Cavemen go 1-3 in tourney – Next up was another one-day event, the Farmington Block Party, with four matches this time. The Cavemen started out against the host school and won the first set 25-18, but the Phoenix secured the next one 25-15 and then survived an American Fork challenge to close out the win with a 15-12 third game. Brighton next defeated the Cavemen 25-20, 25-18. American Fork went on to earn a three-set sweep over Layton 25-22, 25-16, 15-12 but then dropped the final back-and-forth match to Davis in five games 25-19, 22-25, 10-15. 15-13, 15-7.
• March 20: Pleasant Grove 3, American Fork 1 – The Cavemen won the first set 25-19 but the Vikings pocketed the next two 25-11, 25-16. The visitors had to work hard to earn the match victory with an extra-points win 28-26 in the fourth game.
• March 21: Cavemen go 1-3 in tourney – For their third successive weekend tournament, the Cavemen played in the Set To Soar Classic at Cedar Valley. They fell to Mountain Ridge 25-17, 25-15 to start the day but then pulled out a barn-burner over Westlake 27-25, 25-22. American Fork won the first set 25-15 over Herriman but the Mustangs closed out the contest 25-14, 15-10. The Cavemen had a lively tradeoff match against Provo to finish the event, but the Bulldogs prevailed in five games 25-22, 25-27, 15-8, 10-15, 15-12.
• March 24: Lehi 3, American Fork 0 – The powerful Pioneers quickly disposed of visiting American Fork in the Region 3 opener by sweeping the Cavemen 25-15, 25-14, 25-18.
• March 26: Corner Canyon 3, American Fork 1 – The Cavemen won the third set over Corner Canyon at home, but the Chargers captured the other three games 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 to post the league match victory.
• March 31: Lone Peak 3, American Fork 1 – The Cavemen surprisedhighly-ranked Lone Peak in the first game 25-23 as the host, but the Knights recovered and secured the win in consecutive sets 25-19, 25-10, 25-14.
• April 1: Westlake 3, American Fork 2 – It was a close contest once again, but the Thunder avenged an earlier loss to the Cavemen in a tournament by winning this back-and-forth non-league contest 21-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 15-13.
• April 2: American Fork 3, Skyridge 2 – The Cavemen finally broke through in Region 3 play in their final match of the first round. On their home court, the Falcons put up a good fight, winning the first two games 25-21, 25-19. However, the visitors rallied and went on to secure the match with three consecutive set victories 25-11, 25-16, 15-11.

The Cavemen begin the second round of Region 3 play on Thursday (Apr. 16) when they will host Lehi. American Fork will next play at Corner Canyon on Tuesday (Apr. 21). Varsity game time is around 6:30 p.m.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork boys lacrosse team is off to a promising start this season with a 4-2 record in their first three weeks of action.

March 7: American Fork 17, Logan 0

The Cavemen scored early and often in a rare shutout win over the Grizzlies on the road, netting four goals in the first quarter, six in the second, four in the third and three in the fourth on the way to an overwhelming victory. Junior goaltender Luke Hansen saved all four Logan shot attempts.

American Fork got goals from 10 players in the contest, starting with three goals and one assist from senior midfielder Sawyer Jensen, who also collected four ground balls and 12-of-14 (86%) faceoffs.

Freshman attacker Jaden Webster, junior attacker Miles Wakefield and junior midfielder Statten Larsen each scored twice and made one give.

Junior attacker Derik Robertson added one goal and two assists. Senior attacker Mason Coleman tallied four ground balls and four takeaways. Larsen had four takeaways as well.

March 10: American Fork 16, Orem 1

The Cavemen very nearly earned a second shutout over the Tigers, who got their only goal in the fourth quarter. American Fork scored five each in the first two periods and three each in the last two quarters to complete their total. Hansen got the win in the net.

Jensen led the effort with four goals, one assist, three ground balls and 14-of-15 (93%) draws won. Wakefield scored three times with two gives, while Larsen added two goals, three assists and three ground balls. Robertson dished out four assists.

Junior midfielder Eric Meine had the most ground balls with four. Senior long-stick midfielder Brigg Shipley got two ground balls and three takeaways. Junior defender Lucas Jackman contributed two ground balls and two takeaways.

March 12: Westlake 19, American Fork 6

The Cavemen struggled to find the target against the Thunder on the road. Hansen took the loss and had seven saves in the contest. Jensen had a solid game with two goals, four ground balls and 17 faceoffs won. Junior midfielder Joseph Massey also scored twice.

Webster and sophomore attacker Zack Moore added the other two goals. Larsen picked up five ground balls to lead in that category.

March 18: American Fork 6, Salem Hills 5

The Cavemen scored twice in each of the first three quarters and led 6-3 at that point, but then had to hold off a late surge by the visiting Skyhawks. Hansen made nine saves to help American Fork secure the exciting victory.

Jensen inspired the effort with two goals plus 10 ground balls and by winning 13-of-15 (87%) faceoffs. Meine and Larsen each posted one goal and one give, and Larsen added four ground balls. Massey and senior midfielder Karsten Nelson each scored once, and Nelson got four ground balls as well.

Jackman had a great defensive game as he gathered six ground balls and four takeaways. Senior defender Wesley Brewer wasn’t far behind with four ground balls and three takeaways.

March 20: Spanish Fork 7, American Fork 4

The teams dueled even through the final three periods, but the Dons got three goals in the first quarter and rode those to the win. Hansen had six saves in the loss.

Jensen once again powered the Caveman effort with three goals, 10 ground balls and succeeding with 11-of-14 (79%) faceoffs. Larsen had the other score. Nelson scooped up five ground balls and Brewer collected four.

March 23: American Fork 18, Mountain View 2

The Cavemen bounced back with a runaway home triumph over the Bruins. They scored five goals in the first quarter and were leading 11-1 at the break. Hansen’s teammates did most of the work, but he did have five saves in the contest.

Coleman had a busy night, scoring six times and getting four ground balls as well. Jensen added four goals, one assist, five ground balls and 19-of-23 (83%) faceoffs won.

Robertson scored once with three gives while Larsen had one goal and two assists. Nelson garnered five ground balls and Brewer made three takeaways.

The Cavemen picked up three more victories during a southern road trip this weekend. Details for those contests will be presented in the next article.

The Cavemen will entertain Pleasant Grove on Tuesday (Mar. 31) and then visit Timpview on Friday (Apr. 3) before the holiday break. Game time for both matches is 7 p.m.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork girls lacrosse team has earned a 3-5 record in a challenging early spring schedule to start the new season. They played their first four matches on the road followed by four at home.

March 3: Herriman 22, American Fork 11

The Cavemen opened with a loss to the Mustangs, but junior midfielder Claire Corbridge picked up where she left off last year, leading the attack with eight goals and also collecting four ground balls and three draw controls.

Senior attacker Emma Call scored once and made two assists. She picked up three ground balls and caused two turnovers as well. Junior midfielder Aubriella Dollar and senior attacker Haylie Roylance contributed one goal apiece.

Sophomore attacker Brooke Crandall, sophomore midfielder La’akea Manuela and senior midfielder Sarah Egan each made one give. Egan also led in ground balls with five, caused two turnovers and made eight draw controls.

Sophomore defender Molly Mazeika posted four ground balls. Junior Hazel Bastian defended the net for 33 minutes and made four saves. Senior Mazie Moeller covered the rest of the contest.

March 5: American Fork 13, Orem 10

The Cavemen got contributions from the entire roster as they secured a nice win over the Tigers. Corbridge led the way again with five goals and one assist. She also was tops in ground balls with eight and caused two turnovers.

Roylance and Egan each scored three times, picked up five ground balls and got five draw controls. Roylance also registered 11 draws won. Call again contributed one goal and two assists with three ground balls. Dollar added the other goal.

Freshman defender Andie Jensen tallied five ground balls and Mazeika got four. Moeller had seven saves and Bastian two as they each played a half between the pipes.

March 10: Copper Hills 13, American Fork 7

Call played especially well against the Grizzlies, scoring twice with eight ground balls and three caused turnovers. Corbridge and sophomore attacker Kasia Priday added two goals each while Crandall scored once and Roylance gave an assist. Corbridge won seven draws as well.

Egan collected five ground balls and caused three turnovers. Jensen got four ground balls. Bastian had four saves in 36 minutes and Moeller gathered three in the other 12 minutes.

March 12: American Fork 14, Timpview 13

The Cavemen won a thriller over the Thunderbirds. Bastian went the distance in goal and made six saves to help cement the win. Corbridge gave a great effort, scoring four times with three assists, five ground balls, eight draw controls and winning 19-of-30 (63%) faceoffs.

Call also made big contributions with four goals, one give, four ground balls and eight draw controls. Crandall hit the target three times and scooped up four ground balls. Manuela had a goal and an assist. Priday made three gives and got four ground balls. Mazeika caused three turnovers.

March 17: Wasatch 19, American Fork 6

The Cavemen gave up a big lead to the Wasps in the first half, and although they played much better after the break, they couldn’t overcome the early deficit. Bastian made five saves in the loss. Corbridge scored four goals with four ground balls, six draw controls and 10 draws won in the effort.

March 19: Bingham 9, American Fork 8

The Cavemen led the exciting match against the Miners 5-4 after the first period, but the visitors outscored them 5-3 in the second half to edge them by a single score. Bastian collected seven saves in the loss.

Corbridge provided four goals and four assists with six ground balls, five draw controls and capturing 14-of-20 (70%) faceoffs attempted. Call scored three times plus had four ground balls. Mazeika posted four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Egan added seven draw controls.

March 24: Lone Peak 19, American Fork 7

The Cavemen outpaced the Knights 5-4 in the second period and got nine saves in goal, but it wasn’t enough to climb out of a big early hole.

March 26: American Fork 12. Spanish Fork 8

The Cavemen bounced back with a nice victory over the Dons at home.

Region 3 play continues next week at Lehi on Tuesday (Mar. 31). The Cavemen will welcome Skyridge on Thursday (Apr. 2) and will play a non-league match against Desert Hills the next day. The region games start at 5 p.m. and the Friday match is set for 3:30 p.m.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork baseball team has been playing a national-level schedule as they opened the spring season with a 3-3 record.

March 9: American Fork 3, Timpanogos 1

Two of the state’s perennial baseball powers faced off at BYU to start the new campaign in a dandy contest. The Cavemen took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and added a run in the fourth.

The Timberwolves managed to get one run across in the fifth, but American Fork plated one more in the sixth and then held off the visitors in the top of the seventh to close out the win.

It was the typical pitch-by-committee approach early in the year, with senior Kenny Johnson getting the win with three strikeouts and two hits in two innings.

Sophomore Ty Holmstead threw the next three turns, fanning six against one walk, two hits and the single run. Sophomore Cruz Adams finished out the contest, striking out six of the eight batters he faced and giving up nothing to get the save.

Senior infielder Gavin Robinson singled and doubled and scored twice. Johnson drove in a run and hit a double, while Holmstead singled twice and scored the other run. Junior infielder Talon Willardson had an RBI.

March 16: American Fork 9, T.C. Roberson (Asheville, NC) 3

In the first tournament game in Las Vegas, the Cavemen scored in bunches against the Rams with five runs in the first and four runs in the sixth.

Holmstead got the start and the win in large part because of the firepower of his teammates. He yielded the opponent’s four hits and three runs. Senior Bode Gaggero relieved him for the final three innings and got the save.

American Fork cracked out 11 hits, led by Robinson. He went 3-for-4 including a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Willardson singled and doubled for three RBI and scored once.

Holmstead hit a triple, scored twice and drove in another run. Senior outfielder River Litke posted two hits and an RBI. Senior infielder Bode Gaggero crossed the plate twice.

March 17: Berkeley Prep (Tampa, FL) 7, American Fork 6 (8)

The Buccaneers got two runs in the second and one in the third for the early advantage, but the Cavemen tied the score with three runs in the fourth. The teams dueled scoreless for the next three innings, bringing on an extra stanza which Berkeley Prep won 4-3. Adams took the loss.

Robinson homered and produced three RBI. Johnson hit a double and drove in two runs, while Litke got the other RBI. Willardson hit a double.

March 18: American Fork 8, Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas, NV) 1

This was a much closer game than it looks. The Cavemen picked up one run each in the third and fourth for the only scores of the first six innings. The Crusaders pushed one run across in the seventh, but American Fork got six runs in their turn to run away with the victory.

Willardson got the win with 10 strikeouts. Johnson had a double and two RBI and sophomore outfielder Cash Taiese drove in two. Adams had a double and a triple plus one RBI. Senior catcher Cache Poulson and Gaggero each sent one runner across.

March 19: Gahr (Cerritos, CA) 7, American Fork 1

The final tally of this contest was deceptive as well. The Gladiators took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Cavemen knotted the score with a run in the fourth inning. That’s how it stayed until the sixth, when Gahr plated six runs and went on to win.

March 26: Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas, NV) 7, American Fork 6

The Mustangs led most of the way but not by much in this close contest. Adams had a home run and three RBI in the effort. Holmstead doubled and drove in one run. Senior Ronald Lantigua took the loss.

The Cavemen are playing in the Red Rock Classic in southern Utah this weekend. They will open Region 3 play next week with the three-game series against baseball-only member Jordan.

The Beetdiggers will visit on Tuesday (Mar. 31), American Fork will play at Jordan the next day, and then the Beetdiggers will return on Friday (Apr. 3). All the varsity games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.