BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Bridgewater College baseball team used its 2026 spring break trip to California to face some tough competition, such as Pomona Pitzer and California Lutheran to prepare for conference play.

Assistant Coach Mike Brewer said the team’s annual spring break trip is a key tradition for the program, allowing players to face opponents from across the country while gaining valuable early-season experience. He said the games also give the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the team before conference play begins.

“We look forward to this trip every year because it gives our players a chance to compete against different teams and grow together as a group,” Brewer said.

Throughout the week, Bridgewater competed in multiple games, with a busy schedule that challenged the team both physically and mentally, according to assistant coach Mike Brewer. “It’s a grind, but that’s what makes it valuable for our guys,” Brewer said.

Senior starting pitcher Camden Nuckols said the time spent together during the trip helps strengthen the team’s chemistry.

“Trips like this really help build chemistry because you’re spending so much time together on and off the field,” Nuckols said. “It gives us a chance to compete, learn from each other and prepare for the rest of the season.”

In addition to the competition, the team also had the opportunity to explore parts of California between games. For many players, the trip offered a break from the usual routine while still maintaining a focus on baseball, such as a Los Angeles Kings game, trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, as well as a trip to UCLA for a baseball game. 

For veteran players like Nuckols, the experience also helps the team prepare mentally for the long season ahead. He said competing in a new environment forces players to stay focused and adapt quickly during games.

“Playing teams we don’t normally face pushes us to adjust and get better,” Nuckols said.

As the Eagles return to Virginia, Assistant Coach Mike Brewer said the coaching staff hopes the lessons learned during the California trip will carry over into the remainder of the season. With conference play approaching, he said the team will look to build on the experience gained during the week-long trip. “We want to take what we learned out here and carry that into conference play,” Brewer said. “This trip helps set the tone for the rest of the season.”