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Lehi • Lehi pitcher Jason James was the "King of Pops." The sophomore, who registered 12 strikeouts the previous week against Riverton, had his stuff cooking once again on Friday.

Through five complete innings, American Fork was uncomfortable and off balance at the plate against the hard-throwing righty, but most importantly — it remained hitless. It wasn't as if the Cavemen weren't locating pitches, though; they simply couldn't find the gaps with pop-up after pop-up after pop-up.

"He did a good job of mixing up his pitches," American Fork coach Jared Ingersoll said of James.

Turner Knight ended James' no-hit bid in the first at-bat of the sixth inning, and as if the dam unclogged, the Cavemen promptly scored two runs before eventually adding another in the seventh inning in their 3-1 victory to complete the three-game sweep over the Pioneers.

Hayden Wood earned the win on the mound, surrendering one run in 5 2⁄3 innings of work before Jake Norton relieved him of his duties.

"Hayden did a great job," Ingersoll said. "Him and [catcher Tyler] Gardner, the way they communicate; the way they call pitches together — they seem to be on the same page. He's been good for us all year. It was great to see him come out and get us deep into the game, and then have Norton come in and slam the door shut."

Wood escaped numerous clusters with the help of strong defense. In the third inning, Lehi gambled for runs, pushing the issue on the bases, after a deep shot to right, but Koy Smith was tagged at home by a considerable margin, preserving the scoreless tie.

In the ensuing inning, with runners on the corners with two outs, Lehi's Cameron Grace snaked a quick grounder to third, which Mick Madsen corralled from his knees before gunning down Grace at first.

"We're a good defensive team. The first of the year, we were pressing, or something. But we've slowed it down a little bit," Ingersoll said. "They made the routine plays, and we were able to be effective. With our guys on the mound, if we can make the plays, I like our chances. They definitely stepped up this series, that's for sure."

American Fork (12-4) has now won six straight games, sweeping both Lehi and Herriman, after losing to top-ranked Pleasant Grove. The Cavemen start a pivotal series against Lone Peak on Tuesday, which could determine the second seed from Region 4.

The Pioneers (9-7) return to action on Tuesday as well, clinging to the fourth playoff spot, against Westlake.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

American Fork 3, Lehi 1

R Turner Knight breaks up Lehi pitcher Jason James' potential no-hitter in the sixth inning and ultimately ends the scoreless tie later in the inning.

• Kody Hall rips an RBI single in the sixth inning.

• Hayden Wood earns the win, pitching 52⁄3 innings.