In their final non-conference test of the 2023-24 season, the Bears were hoping to build off some momentum last week and use it on the road Monday against John Melvin. But the Millers grabbed an early lead and the Bears couldn't keep pace as they fell 16-3.

"We didn't give ourselves a chance on the mound," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "That's the story of the game, we walked 11 and we are going to lose when we do that."

Pitching struggles reared their ugly head in the first inning as the Millers took advantage and went on a run, putting the Bears down 5-0.

For the second-consecutive inning, the Southwest offense put a runner on base but could not move him.

John Melvin added to its lead in the second with four additional runs making it a 9-0 deficit for Southwest.

Despite the score, the Bears kept pressing on. Their resilience showed on the scoreboard in the third when Lane Steinwinder hit a sacrifice fly to center allowing Gavin Bledsoe to score.

But the Millers rallied again in the 5^th with a six-run inning increasing the deficit to 15-1 for Southwest.

The Bears got back into rhythm in the sixth as Bledsoe singled in Trace Roy before Cru Bella scored during the ensuing at bat when Tyler Otts hit into a fielder's choice inching Southwest closer at 15-3.

However, the Millers plated the final run of the game in the sixth making the score the eventual final.

Cody Presley led the Bears going 3-for-4 with two doubles. Bledsoe had a run scored an an RBI.

The Bears return home Wednesday to host Co-Lin in the Coca-Cola Classic at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.