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American Fork's CJ Mascaro (center) celebrates with teammates Bode Gaggero (2) and Cooper Jones after hitting a home run against Farmington in a 6A baseball Super Regional game on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's CJ Mascaro hits a home run against Farmington in a 6A baseball Super Regional game on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's CJ Mascaro tries to lay down a bunt in a Region 3 baseball game against Pleasant Grove on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Growing up playing baseball, C.J. Mascaro’s soon realized that in his sport, he would often fail. It’s how he responds that defines him.

That approach has worked very well for Mascaro, and American Fork’s senior outfielder has been named the Daily Herald’s Valley Player of the Year for 2025.

“What I love about baseball is probably the part of the game where there’s failure,” Mascaro said. “You’re not going to always have success. It’s a challenge to keep going forward, even after failure. I’m a pretty competitive person so I enjoy having a challenge.”

Mascaro put up terrific numbers at the plate in 2025, hitting .407 with 45 runs scored, 44 hits and totaling 30 RBI while knocking 12 doubles, seven triples and 10 home runs. His on-base average (.504) and slugging percentage (.926) gave opposing pitchers night terrors all season. The senior right-hander also shined on the mound, posting a 7-0 record and a 1.59 ERA. As an outfielder, Mascaro added 66 put outs, two double plays and an assist without a single error.

He played in 115 games in his career, hit .383 and knew how to get home, tying for fourth all-time in Utah state history with 139 runs scored.

“CJ’s skill set has always been above his years of school,” American Fork coach Jarod Ingersoll said. “He can really go get it in the outfield. Everyone talks about his pitching and offense, but he’s a lock-down outfielder, for sure. He reads the baseball so well. His baseball IQ is second to none.”

Mascaro said his dad got him into baseball when he was 3 or 4 years old.

“I’ve always been a pretty good hitter and had good athletic ability,” Mascaro said. “I stuck with it and stayed with baseball. With my work ethic, I feel like I can do anything.”

Mascaro is a three-year starter for the Cavemen and broke into the varsity lineup as a freshman.

“I played CJ quite a big as a freshman,” Ingersoll said. “He has great composure on the mound. He never gets rattled and throws a lot of strikes. He’s good at changing speeds and hitting spots. That’s what has made him so effective.

“He’s gotten more physical and all the credit goes to him for working hard in the weight room. It was nice to see him have some power surges this year. We really needed him to lead our team in runs and getting on base however he could. He’s kind of been the catalyst of our offense this year. He always threw to right base from the outfield so runners couldn’t advance. He’ll bunt when the third baseman is back. CJ is just really unselfish and really understands the game from a high level.”

The Cavemen went into the 6A State Tournament as the No. 2 seed and went 7-0 to claim their third title in the past five years. Mascaro started and won three games during the run, including a two-hit shutout of Lehi in Game 1 of the 6A Championship series. Mascaro also went 2 for 3, scored two runs, banged out a triple and drove in a run in the game.

“I love the kid,” Ingersoll said. “He’s a great teammate. He’s not outspoken but more of a ‘lead by example’ kind of a guy. You definitely have to have those guys. He has intensity and enthusiasm but he’s just going to show you instead of tell you. You don’t see him smile much on the baseball field but he’s a really nice, funny, positive guy. His teammates loved and adored him.”

Mascaro takes his role as a team leader seriously.

“I think being a good teammate is being somebody that believes in everybody else and keeping the guys up,” he said. “What you expect is what you have to give. I learned from other guys like Kaden Carpenter, Fisher Ingersoll, Ryder Robinson and Easton Jones. They were role models from when I got on the field as a freshman. They helped me keep working. Even though I was a freshman they believed in my ability to help the team.”

The Cavemen won their state title in the afternoon, which gave them plenty of time to celebrate.

“We got done early in the day so we went back to our field,” Mascaro said. “We enjoyed some time with family, all went to dinner at just hung out. But nothing compares to the doggy pile (on the mound) after we won. That’s the best thing ever. You dream about that as a kid. But I was glad to be in the outfield. I wouldn’t want to be at the bottom of that thing.”

Mascaro said the team bus received a police escort after getting off the freeway into American Fork with fans parked on the side to celebrate the championship.

Mascaro has signed with TCU to continue his baseball career at the college level. Robinson and Fisher Ingersoll also played for the Horned Frogs, though Robinson transferred to BYU last season and Ingersoll is now playing at Nicholls State.

“I leave July 6, so it’s coming up pretty soon,” he said. “They have a great coach and I loved the environment. It’s a smaller town and a smaller school but they have such a great baseball program. It really draws you in.”