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American Fork • American Fork squeezed across three runs and played a sterling defensive game to down Jordan 3-1 win in the first round of the Class 5A state baseball tournament Tuesday.

Cavemen left-hander Trell Morse outdueled Jordan's Gage Edwards to earn the win.

"We knew this was going to be a battle, and we came ready to fight," Morse said. "We knew we were going to have to compete against them, and fortunately we put a few together."

American Fork had runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings, but Edwards was able to pitch out of the jams with the help of his defense.

Ultimately, however, it was the Jordan defense that allowed the Cavemen to prevail.

Two errors helped produce two runs in the bottom of the fourth, and a passed ball scored the third run in the bottom of the sixth.

The Beetdiggers tallied their solo run in the fifth with the only back-to-back hits they managed in the game. Noah Bachman led off with a double down the third-base line and came across on a single by Edwards.

"I thought we missed some early offensive opportunities, but we kept our pressure game going and executed on both sides," American Fork coach Jarod Ingersoll said. "Survive and advance. That's all we're looking to do right now."

The Cavemen did not commit an error and made some spectacular plays to help secure the victory. Several of those were turned in by third baseman Travis Johnson, who also had the leadoff double that sparked the fourth-inning rally.

"They're a good team," Johnson said. "Against an opponent like that, you just have to focus on your process and relax and let your skills take over. The team that flinches first is usually the one that goes down." —

American Fork 3, Jordan 1

• American Fork uses solid pitching, sound defense and opportunistic offense to win the playoff opener.

• The Cavemen score all three runs with help from mistakes by the Beetdiggers.

• American Fork (15-9) will host Clearfield (15-9), which upset Davis in extra innings, in the second round.

Class 5A state tournament

Tuesday's scores

Cottonwood 3, Pleasant Grove 1

Fremont 10, Hunter 0

Clearfield 6, Davis 5

American Fork 3, Jordan 1

Layton 4, Northridge 3

Lone Peak 10, West Jordan 0

Bingham 6, Lehi 2

Roy 3, Syracuse 2

Wednesday's winners bracket schedule

All games at 4 p.m.

Cottonwood at Fremont

Clearfield at American Fork

Layton at Lone Peak

Roy at Bingham

Class 4A state tournament

Tuesday's scores

Corner Canyon 4, Skyline 3

Spanish Fork 13, Ogden 3

Salem Hills 18, Bountiful 12

Skyridge 3, Olympus 2

Maple Mountain 7, Box Elder 2

Murray 11, Orem 5

Timpanogos 11, Judge Memorial 1

Springville 11, Woods Cross 1

Wednesday's winners bracket schedule All games at 4 p.m.

Corner Canyon at Spanish Fork

Salem Hills at Skyridge

Maple Mountain at Murray

Springville at Timpanogos