Following a tough 13-7 loss at home to No. 8 Jones to kick off the day Tuesday, the Bears made sure to end it on a high note and did so in dramatic fashion getting a 3-2 walk-off win in extra innings in Game 2 to earn the split.
The win came as Christian Kell reached safely on a Bobcat error, allowing Brett Boutwell to score, capping-off late bases-loaded rally for the Bears who entered the bottom of the eighth down by a run.
"When I was sitting in the dugout, I didn't think that I was going to hit," Kell said. "They intentionally walked Connor (McHenry) and I was down in the count 0-2 and I knew that I couldn't strike out and put the ball in play and give us an opportunity."
The thrilling win provided a boost for the Bears (15-22, 5-11 MACCC) who were trying to get over a tough loss earlier. Pitching struggles haunted the Bears in the opener as five pitchers were used in the opening contest.
Both offenses shined early on as each plated two runs in the first inning. The Bears' came via RBI singles from Jerod Williams and Kell during consecutive at-bats.
However, in the second, Jones had its best inning offensively adding four additional runs. Southwest answered with yet another RBI single, this time from Hunter Harrell to pull within three at 6-3.
Over the next three innings, the Bobcats out-scored the Bears 4-2 giving them a five-run advantage. The Bears plated two runs in the sixth on an RBI double to left from Kell, scoring Harrell and McHenry.
But the visitors scored three in their half of the seventh to pull away.
Kell led the Bears with two hits and three RBIs. Williams also had two hits to go along with two RBIs.
In the nightcap, Southwest once again had a positive first inning as Marcus Jackson singled and during the ensuing at bat advanced to second on a steal, to third on an error and scored when Harrell grounded out.
The 1-0 Bear lead was erased in the second when the Bobcats pulled even following an RBI double to right.
Bear starter Brycen Smith quickly regrouped and got into rhythm. Over the next two innings he gave up only one hit while striking out four batters. After he picked up another strikeout in the fifth, his offense tried to give him the lead once again. Tyler Otts and Boutwell each singled but a heads-up double-play by the Bobcats during the next at bat quickly shut the door in the opportunity for the Bears.
Smith continued to shine for the Bears being a thorn in the sides of the Bobcats, not allowing any more runs. He pitched 7.0 innings giving up only one run (unearned), three hits and three walks while striking out eight.
"I was definitely feeling it," he said. "I came out and gave it all for my team because they definitely deserved it. We wanted to get the split because it was going to put us in a better position for the playoffs. It gave me the motivation to come out here and give it my all."
In the eighth, Smith was relieved by Braiden Jones, who unfortunately ran into some trouble when the Bobcats plated a run on a double.
Despite being down by a run and down to their final three outs, the Bears pressed on. Otts, Boutwell and Jackson reached via an error, a single and a walk, respectively. With the bases loaded and no outs, Harrell flew out but it wasn't deep enough to have Otts tag and try to score.
Otts did eventually touch home on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2 before Kell's big hit two at bats later.
Otts and Boutwell each finished with two hits and a run scored to lead the charge for Southwest.
The Bears return to action Friday, hosting Holmes at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
