Bear River blanks 2 foes, wins 3 of 4 in San Diego

Spring break tournaments are crucial for high school baseball teams because it can provide a tough test against competition from a new region and show coaches what their team is made of. While Bear River left the Lions Baseball Tournament in San Diego with its first loss of the season, the Bruins showcased their skills against some of the best small- and medium-school talent in the state and won the championship in their respective bracket. The Bruins dropped their first game of the tournament to San Diego-Crawford in a thrilling, back-and-forth battle. Bear River led for most of the game, but the Colts scored four runs across in the final two innings for a 9-8 victory. Bear River bounced back with three consecutive victories. The Bruins outscored their three opponents by a combined 25-2, including two shutouts. Pitching was key for the Bruins. In a 10-0 victory over Chula Vista-Castle Peak, Ian Van Winkle earned the win by striking out eight and allowing three hits over five innings. Nolan Allen preserved the shutout with an inning of relief. Sophomore ace Kaden Nicholls continued his dominance with a 10-strikeout performance in a 12-0 win over Carlsbad-Pacific Ridge. The left-hander is one of the top pitchers in the section this season with a 6-0 record and 70 strikeouts against nine hits and nine walks in 35 1/3 innings. Nicholls has allowed two runs all season, both unearned. The Bruins returned to Lake of the Pines with a 12-1 record before diving back into Pioneer Valley League play Tuesday with a rivalry series against Colfax. Bear River will travel to Colfax on Thursday.