It took 12 innings, seven pitchers and 32 hits to finally decide it, but the American Fork baseball team was able to make just enough plays to outlast Lone Peak 11-10 as the sun was setting on a classic Region 4 contest Friday evening in Highland.

The teams battled back and forth through the first six innings, which ended with them tied at 10 runs apiece.

Five scoreless innings followed. Both teams had opportunities to make runs and players from both sides also made spectacular stops to keep the contest going.

In the top of the 12th, Caveman right fielder Koy Dibb was at third and first baseman Austin Pitcher was at second with two outs when second baseman Hagen Holmstead came to the plate.

He singled to drive in Dibb, but Pitcher was thrown out trying to score as well for the third out. Nevertheless, American Fork still had a new 11-10 advantage.

Knight first baseman Nate Call singled with two outs in the bottom half of the inning to provide the home team with a potential tying run, but the next batter lined straight to third baseman Logan Flinders for the final out.

“That was a grind,” said American Fork coach Jarod Ingersoll. Once the score was tied, the Cavemen managed to get runners on base five of the next six innings without being able to get one of them across.

“Obviously we had a couple of opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of, but I can’t say enough about the type of kids we’ve got,” the coach said.

“They really kept at it. Lone Peak’s a great team and they’re going to be right there at the end. For our kids to come in here and keep their composure the way they did is impressive.”

Ingersoll singled out pitcher Tanner Norton for special praise. He came in as a reliever and finished off the fifth inning, then went the distance on the mound to earn the victory.

He allowed just a handful of baserunners during that stretch and gave up nothing.

“I told our guys after the game that we’re going to be put in these situations,” Ingersoll said. “We’re going to have to be ready to step up like we did today, with our defense making plays and our role guys making contributions. That’s what it takes to win.

“I was pleased with how we competed, and we need to keep doing it,” the coach said. Catcher Andrew Bartholomew had a pair of doubles, while Pitcher and Flinders each had one.

On the other side, Grant Lyman was called to the mound in the seventh inning and pitched six complete, managing to get out of several jams with some good help from his teammates.

The Knights also hit the ball hard at times, with several of their connections going for extra bases.

Senior shortstop Hunter Christensen led the way with a double and solo home run, while Chandler Goeckeritz, Lyman and Tate Hansen had doubles and Trevor La Hargoue had a triple.

“That’s a tough game to lose, but I’m proud of our kids because they didn’t quit,” said Lone Peak coach Matt Bezzant. “We learned a lot this week that we can use as we move forward.”

The Cavemen (13-3, 8-1) swept the series and will next host Riverton (6-4, 4-2), while the Knights (9-5, 6-3) will start their next series at Pleasant Grove (8-5, 5-1). Both games are set for Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Beky Beaton can be reached at bbeaton@heraldextra.com. Follow her on Twitter at @BeatonWrite.

American Fork 11, Lone Peak 10

Amer. Fork 070 210 000 001 — 11 15 2

Lone Peak 400 042 000 000 — 10 17 2

C. Goeckeritz, Pope (3), Thompson (5), Lyman (7) and Larsen. Andrus, Searle (4), Norton (5) and Bartholomew. WP-Norton. LP-Lyman. 2B-Barthlomew 2 (AF), Pitcher (AF), Flinders (AF), C. Goeckeritz (LP), Christensen (LP), Lyman (LP), Hansen (LP); 3B-La Hargoue (LP); HR- Christensen (LP).