In the first of a three-game weekend series, the Bears had trouble rebounding from a slow start offensively, falling 10-6 Friday to the visiting Mineral Area Cardinals.
 
"That arm is probably one of the best arms that we will see all year," said Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson referring to Mineral Area starting pitcher Jonah Sarabia. "He beat us last year when they played us. He signed with the University of South Florida. He is tough on everybody."
 
The Bears (2-3) countered Sarabia with sophomore Dawson Richard who made an immediate impact, retiring three of the first four batters that he faced, getting two strikeouts in the process.
 
While Richard and the defense got off to a positive start, the offense, unfortunately, could not match the same intensity.
 
The Cardinals scored first in the third. With one runner on via a walk, a triple during the ensuing at bat plated the game's first run before a sacrifice fly during the following at bat made it a 2-0 deficit for Southwest.
 
The Bears threatened in the fourth by putting two runners on but could not bring them home keeping it a 2-0 game.
 
Mineral Area added to its lead in the fourth with one run on an RBI single.
 
A rally in the sixth increased the deficit for the Bears. The Cardinals scored six additional runs putting Southwest down 9-0.
 
But the Bears answered back in the bottom half of the inning to pull within striking distance.
 
Jonathon Miller led off with a walk and after advancing to second on a single by Cam Bolden during the ensuing at bat, he scored when Gage Hinnant doubled to center putting Southwest on the board.
 
Three at bats later, Cooper Lewis singled in Bolden before a Trace Roy double to left scored Hinnant and Davis Knight. The Bears added one more run later in the inning when Zayne Landry singled, allowing Lewis to score, making it a 9-5 game.
 
Southwest inched closer in the eighth when Lane Steinwinder brought in Lewis on a single to left pulling the Bears within three at 9-6.
 
Unfortunately, it was the closest the Bears would get for the remainder of the night as the Cardinals added one more run in the ninth before sealing the win.
 
Richard finished with 5.0 innings pitched, striking out nine will giving up six hits, three runs (two earned) and two walks.
 
Offensively, Southwest was led by Roy who had two hits and two RBIs. Lewis also had two hits to go along with two runs scored and one RBI.
 
The Bears and Cardinals will meet again on Saturday in a doubleheader to wrap the weekend series. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 1 p.m.