Entering Friday, the Bears were looking to get over a pair of tough losses earlier in the week and they knew that they had their work cut out for them against the No. 1 Heartland Hawks.
 
And despite playing a great brand of baseball in Game 1, they fell just short to the Hawks 6-4 in 9 innings. But they quickly regrouped and put on an even better performance in Game 2, winning 8-3 to earn the split.
 
"Man, I'm really proud of our program, really proud of our guys," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "I'm sure maybe it's been done, but I don't know if anyone here has ever beaten the No. 1 team in the country. I'm really proud of the way that we fought all day. We had a chance to sweep the No. 1 in the country and that is true, too, but I am really proud of the way that we responded and was able to come back in Game 2 and play a good game against them."
 
In Game 1, Southwest (8-7) starter Jackson Hawsey got off to a strong start, retiring the side in order in the first.
 
He got some help from his offense in the second when Cody Presley smashed a 1-1 pitch clear over the right-center field wall for a solo home run, putting Southwest up 1-0.
 
The Hawks responded in the fourth scoring a run on a fielder's choice, tying the game at 1.
 
But another long ball put the Bears on top as Colson Thompson launched a solo home run to right making it a 2-1 game.
 
Heartland pushed two runs across in the fifth with an RBI single to jump on top 3-2.
 
But once again, the Bears responded to re-take the lead and continue the back-and-forth tussle in the fifth. With Marcus Jackson and Reed Duthu on base, a Tyler Otts single to left brought both home giving Southwest the 4-3 advantage.
 
Myles Green who came on in relief, fed off of the offense's momentum retiring the side in order in the sixth while picking up two strikeouts in the process.

The Hawks, unfortunately, pulled even in the seventh, taking advantage of a Bear mistake. Both teams continued to battle into the ninth where Heartland plated two runs.
 
Southwest brought the tying runner to the plate but could not get him home as the Bears fell in Game 1.
 
Presley led the Bear offense with two hits, including a home run, one run scored and one RBI.
 
In Game 2, Luke Lirette got the start and ran into trouble early. Heartland scored a pair of runs on a hit batter with the bases loaded, followed by a sacrifice fly. Despite this, the Southeastern Louisiana-signee quickly recovered and struck out the ensuing batter.
 
His offense proved vital the following inning. Otts singled in Jackson cutting the Heartland lead in half at 2-1. Later in the inning, Nolan Walther drew a bases-loaded walk and it was followed by a big two run double by Presley who continued his big day at the plate.
 
"Playing the No. 1 team, it is a challenge and I just tried to stay with the approach," Presley said. "I'm just trying to do anything I can to help the team win and just get a barrel."
 
Presley's RBI double made it a 4-2 game in favor of the hosts. The hits kept coming for Southwest in the second as RBI doubles from Gage Hinnant and Thompson helped set the tone. Thompson later scored on an error by the Heartland catcher plating Southwest's seventh run of the contest.
 
Lirette got into a groove with an incredible run in the third and fourth innings as he struck out the side in both.
 
"In the first inning, I came out and struggled and my offense put up four in the first inning and it really gave me a lot of confidence," said Lirette who finished with 12 strikeouts, a new collegiate career high. "It let me lock back in and pitch with a lead, and you are always going to be amped up when you play the No. 1 team in the nation."
 
Following his big third and fourth innings, Lirette allowed only one baserunner each over the next two innings, keeping the Hawks at bay.
 
Heartland eventually rallied and added one more run in the seventh before Lirette shut the door on any future opportunities to seal the win for Southwest.
 
In addition to his 12 strikeouts, Lirette gave up only five hits, three runs (all earned) and four walks.
 
Jackson led the offense with two hits and two runs scored. Both Presley and Thompson finished with a hit and two RBIs apiece, while Hinnant had three runs scored.
 
The Bears have a quick turnaround as they hit the road Saturday for a double-header against No. 20 Delgado. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and Game 2 at 4 p.m.