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The American Fork baseball team celebrates winning the 6A state title at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Bode Gaggero carries the 6A baseball state championship trophy to the team's fans at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Bode Gaggero (1) celebrates hitting his second home run in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork players celebrate winning the 6A baseball state title against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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The American Fork baseball team (with head coach Jarod Ingersoll right on top) celebrates winning the 6A state title at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork players celebrate winning the 6A baseball state title against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Rip Roberts of Skyridge dives into third base after hitting a triple in the 6A baseball state finals against American Fork at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Ty Holmstead (11) hugs teammate Bode Gaggero after winning the 6A baseball state championship against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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The American Fork baseball team celebrates winning the 6A state title at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Cruz Adams throws a pitch in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Skyridge players and coaches console each other after its runner-up finish in the 6A baseball state finals against American Fork at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork;'s Cash Taiese makes a catch in center field against Skyridge in the 6A baseball state finals at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork head coach Jarod Ingersoll (left) greets Bode Gaggero after he hit a home run in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Players in the American Fork dugout watch the action in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Rip Roberts of Skyridge (left) dives back to first base while American Fork's Kenny Johnson awaits the throw in the 6A baseball state finals at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Gavin Robinson celebrates a triple in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Miles Robinson of Skyridge takes a swing against American Fork in the 6A baseball state finals at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Cruz Adams throws a pitch in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Miles Robinson of Skyridge tries to avoid the tag of American Fork second baseman Gavin Robinson in the 6A baseball state finals at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Miles Robinson of Skyridge rounds third on his way to score in the 6A baseball state finals against American Fork at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Bode Gaggero celebrates winning the 6A baseball state championship against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Skyridge accepts the 6A baseball runner-up trophy at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Gavin Robinson slides in safely at second base in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Gavin Robinson dives back to first base as Brady Lowe of Skyridge catches the ball in the 6A baseball state finals at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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Zayden Bye of Skyridge throws a pitch in the 6A baseball state finals against American Fork at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Bode Gaggero (1) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork head coach Jarod Ingersoll (right) reaches out to Bode Gaggero after a home run in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

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American Fork's Bode Gaggero takes a swing in the 6A baseball state finals against Skyridge at UCCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

❮ ❯

According to American Fork baseball coach Jarod Ingersoll, it never gets old.

Yet again it was the Cavemen dog-piling on top of the Utah Valley University mound in late May to celebrate yet another 6A championship, the program’s fourth in just six years time.

“It feels better and special, and each one’s a little different,” Ingersoll said surrounded by a throng of media following his team’s 5-3 championship win over Skyridge on Saturday. “But it’s something that we love, and our community and our school can be really proud of, for sure.”

In typical fashion it was more than just one individual stepping up big for American Fork. Whether it was sophomore pitcher Cruz Adams overcoming early struggles to pitch a complete game, Bode Gaggero setting the tone by hitting home runs in his first two at-bats or Cache Poulson directing the action from behind the plate, the Cavemen received big contributions up and down the lineup.

“Everybody talks about repeating … (and we) came into this tournament just  thinking it’s ours,” Gaggero said. “You don’t go win state, you take it. So I’m so proud of these guys, man. We’re best friends.”

As mentioned, Gaggero set the table early for the Cavemen. The senior barreled up and hit a solo home run from his leadoff spot in the top of the first inning for an early 1-0 lead. Just an inning later he repeated the feat, but this time brought around a runner as American Fork took a 4-2 run entering the bottom half of the second.

It was the type of effort fairly common for Gaggero toward the second half of the season when he overcame some initial struggles to really kick it in gear and finish off his prep career in style.

“Bode’s always been one of our leaders, and you know, we were kind of messing around with the lineup in the early part of the season, and we figured if we’re going to get beat, we’re going to get beat with him getting as many at-bats as he could in the one hole,” Ingersoll said. “He just stayed within himself a little bit more, was disciplined, and had more team at-bats, and he’s got that kind of power. Obviously, he showed it today, but just super superb leadership by him.”

From the mound Ingersoll put his trust in Adams, who is just a sophomore, to finish out with a complete game effort despite the Falcons sending three runners across the plate after just two innings of play. From the third inning on Adams locked in and used an economy of pitches to keep bats quiet and retain the lead for the Cavemen.

“Once (he) figured it out, it was really lights out,” Ingersoll said. ” … Once he started picking up the tempo, our defense started to click, and everything clicked and kind of flowed a little bit. You know, it all starts with the guy on the bump, and he did a hell of a job today.”

For Adams, he was quick to credit his pitching coach, Scott Jepsen, along with his battery mate, Cache Poulsen.

Scott Jeppson, one of the best I’ve ever had, if not the best I’ve ever had,” Adams said. “(He) gave me some cues like about tempo and stuff, like mound presence, and it totally worked, man. It carried me all throughout the seventh inning to get a championship for my team … and I cannot thank (Cache) enough because, of his (pitch) framing, and he’s just a leader on the field, even with the bat. I can’t ask for more. So much props to Cache right there.”

As for Poulsen, his bat came through big in the top of the seventh to give the Cavemen, not to mention Adams himself, a bit more breathing room. The senior catcher hit a towering home run over the center field fence to top of the win in grand fashion.

“It just came from um trusting the approach,” Poulsen said. “I mean, my coaches just emphasized sticking to the approach and one pitch (at a) time. It just came down to that and I was able to put a good swing on it.”

Poulsen, as a senior, has been a big part of American Fork’s impressive run, which includes championships won in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2026, and understands perhaps as well as anyone of what has been the program’s catalyst for success.

“I think just the brotherhood. Just the culture we have here,” he said. “And that comes from the players buying in on what the coaches have to say. They do a great job and once everybody buys in and great things can happen.”

And it all led to yet another dog-pile on the UVU mound in late August, with the formula set forth and the players completely buying in.

it’s the best feeling in the world. Like, no matter no matter sacrifice, I mean any sacrifice that you can make towards this goal is totally worth it, dude. Being in that dog pile with you pounding on each other, about to suffocate. Oh, dude, it’s the best feeling in the world.