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Bear River junior Kate Wilson stares down her batter during a non-region softball game vs. Davis on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kaysville.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis junior Chloe Peery dusts off her hands after stealing second base during a non-region softball game vs. Bear River on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kaysville.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Bear River senior Bostyn Lish (left) and junior Kate Wilson (right, 9) celebrate a 1-0 win over Davis during a non-region softball game on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kaysville.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis junior Adelyn Turpin (left) and senior Katie Laumann (right) celebrate retiring the side during a non-region softball game vs. Davis on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kaysville.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Bear River assistant coach (left) Taleas Nelson and senior Aubree Fry (right) share a moment during a non-region softball game vs. Davis on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kaysville.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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KAYSVILLE — It was during the hour-long bus ride south to Davis High that Kate Wilson learned she’d been tabbed the starter in Bear River’s softball opener Tuesday.

Such game-time decisions, while abruptly handed out, have become the norm for Wilson and the Bears.

Wilson’s no-hitter and 17 strikeouts in a duel with last season’s All-Area Softball Player of the Year Serena Roth certainly got things done on the road in her season debut.

Bear River, claiming a 1-0 win in extras, finished the afternoon with just two hits against Roth. The consequential sacrifice RBI by sophomore Molly Canfield reeled senior Kendyl Archibald in from third atop the eighth inning.

Wilson, walking five Darts (0-1) across eight innings, struck out Davis freshman Nora Sunderland for a second time during the game-winning side. Sunderland took the plate with two on and two out in the bottom of the fifth but fell to Wilson on strikes, retiring the inning.

“If we can start strong like this, imagine what we’re going to be like at the end of the season,” Wilson said. “I have a lot of faith in these girls and I love them a lot.”

Back for more, Wilson returns eager to build upon a strong sophomore campaign that saw her become one of Bear River’s (1-0) leading arms behind senior Emma Harrow. Wilson finished with a 2.92 ERA, sitting just beneath Harrow (2.53 ERA), in 18 appearances last spring.

Starting fresh at 1-0, Bear River, like several Northern Utah softball and baseball programs, soon packs for St. George for a five-game tournament beginning Friday with Wasatch.

The coming days will test Bear River’s upperclassmen, Wilson said. The offseason included changes to how the Bears incorporate newcomers into the school’s team after much of the roster spent the offseason playing club ball in several different states.

“A lot of girls that usually wouldn’t hang out together started hanging out together,” Wilson said. “We come from different (club) teams, then they have to play as one this season. … The biggest difference is it’s where they need you to play, not where you want to (play). It could be we need a first baseman and you’ve never played first base before. It’s a lot tougher mentally.”

Roth steady through long first day on the dirt

It came as little surprise that Roth, an integral part of Davis’ 19-win finish in 2024, would receive the start on Tuesday. Chilly weather throughout a narrow 1-0 defeat at home didn’t keep Roth from beginning Year 3 with promise

Roth allowed just two hits, two walks and delivered 11 strikeouts in her season debut. The junior righty left encouraged about the upcoming season while throwing to freshman catcher Ellie Ryan.

“We were working good,” Roth said. “My warmups were good, and so I just felt good during the game. Luckily it wasn’t too cold so there was no wind and I was able to keep things under control. After that first batter, I was feeling the groove.”

Davis, also making the trip to St. George for a series of games to be played in far better conditions, returns to action Friday against West Jordan. Roth wasn’t shy about where the Darts must start if they’re going to add that first win: the plate.

“I think making better contact with the ball, myself included, is part of the job,” Roth said.

Connect with sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.