American Fork • Beating the defending state champions and winning the Region 4 title on the same day doesn't mean it's safe to place an order for state championship rings.
But for Riverton, it sure did feel good Wednesday.
Parents posed for pictures holding up their index fingers and there was a noticeable excitement among the players and coaches, but the Silverwolves' 3-2 win over the Cavemen just may have to serve as a practice celebration.
One trophy secured, one more to chase down.
"Having it come down to the very last game and with so much on the line and to see the kids play this well was really satisfying," said Riverton coach Jay Applegate. "We didn't bring it up as coaches, they did. They said this was just the first goal we've set, and we still have a lot of work to do."
Jared Barton went the distance for the Silverwolves, allowing just six hits. He also doubled in a run.
"It was a really good team effort," Barton said. "I just tried to throw strikes and trust my defense. I was able to mix up my speeds and use three different pitches."
Riverton jumped on American Fork starter Riley Otteson for two runs in the first inning, when Jared White doubled in a run and scored on a single by Cam Gust.
American Fork answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Otteson was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Zac Willis.
Both pitchers then settled in and took control of the game. The Silverwolves added a run in the fourth compliments of a B.J. Newman single. It proved to be the difference because the Cavemen rallied in the sixth.
Willis singled with two outs and scored on a Sean Hardman triple, but Barton got Brock Lamb to ground out to end the inning.
Barton then retired American Fork in order in the seventh to clinch the outright region title. The loss dropped the Cavemen to third.
"We just didn't do our job offensively like we should have," said American Fork coach Jarod Ingersoll. "Obviously it would have been nice to be the region champs, but there's a bigger prize. Hopefully our team understands that and what we're capable of doing."