Entering Friday, the Bears knew that getting wins at Holmes would be a big boost as they continue to fight for the playoffs. And after an unfortunate 8-1 loss in the opener against the Bulldogs, the Bears ended the day on a high note, shutting down a late rally and picking up a 10-7 win.
 
"In Game 1, I didn't think that we played badly, we just couldn't get a hit when we had guys in scoring position," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "Credit to Holmes, they are a good team and pitched well all day today. I'm really proud that our guys stuck with it and we were able to get the split."
 
In the nightcap, Southwest (20-30, 10-12 MACCC) got on the board first, taking advantage of a Bulldog error before following with a sacrifice fly, making it a 2-0 game.
 
Holmes cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the inning but the Bears rallied once again in the second with three additional runs coming from a sacrifice fly from Justin Domiano followed by a Trace Roy RBI single and Tanner Moore stealing home.
 
Southwest starter Brodey Walker settled down and retired Holmes in order in the second.
 
In the third, however, the Bulldogs rallied and pulled within one at 5-4 before tying the game the following inning.
 
But the Bears didn't panic and got their bats going once again in the fifth. Davis Knight led off with a double before Gage Hinnant and Cam Bolden followed with singles, the latter of which plated two runs. Later in the inning, Jake Meilstrup got into the act with an RBI single of his own increasing the Southwest lead to 9-5.
 
Knight provided an RBI single in the sixth making it a 10-5 game in favor of the visitors.
 
The Bulldogs plated two runs in the sixth and tried to continue their run and inch closer they were denied as Southwest sealed the win.
 
Knight, Hinnant and Meilstrup all had two hits to lead the Bears. Meilstrup also added two RBIs and a run while Hinnant added a run scored and Knight a run and an RBI.
 
Walker, Jackson Hawsey and Knight combined to strike out six batters in the win.
 
In Game 1, both teams had difficulty scoring early on as the pitching and defense had the upper hand.
 
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs broke through first with a single run in the fourth. The Bears were unable to answer and found themselves down 8-0 by the end of the seventh.
 
Despite the score Southwest continued to fight and scratched a run across in the ninth as Cru Bella grounded out which allowed Hinnant to race home.
 
Hinnant led the Bears with a hit and a run scored.
 
Southwest will be back in action on Wednesday as they travel to face Meridian at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.