The final test of the regular season for the Bears came in the form of the No. 2 Pearl River Wildcats in Tuesday's home doubleheader. And in that test the Bears gave the visiting Wildcats all they can handle but came up just short falling 5-1 in the opener and 4-2 in the nightcap.
 
"I was proud of the way that we played," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "And in baseball some days you get beat. I can deal with getting beat and we got beat, but tonight we didn't beat ourselves, we didn't lose the game, we just got beat. And we got beat against a good team."
 
In Game 1, the Bears (24-32, 14-14 MACCC) battled early with the Wildcats but couldn't find the consistency they needed on offense. Pearl River jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning on an RBI single.
 
Southwest tried to respond and got a runner on base after Lane Steinwinder singled but he was unfortunately stranded.
 
Southwest starter Darius Dampier and the Bears had a strong third inning as they retired the side in order to stay within striking distance.
 
But the deficit unfortunately grew to three as Pearl River added to its lead with two additional runs during back-to-back at bats. The Wildcats added single runs in the seventh and eighth with the latter making it a 5-0 game.
 
Despite the score, the Bears continued to push and plated a run in the eighth when Tanner Moore singled in Gage Hinnant. But that was unfortunately it for Southwest as the Bears ran out of gas in the end.
 
Moore had a hit and an RBI to lead Southwest. Steinwinder finished with two hits.
 
Dampier went 4.0 innings giving up only three runs (two earned) and one walk while striking out four.
 
In the nightcap, the Bears found themselves down early as the Wildcats scored two runs in the first inning.
 
But the Bears answered back in the second. Davis Knight led off with a walk and touched home during the ensuing at bat when Cody Presley launched the first pitch he saw over the center field wall, tying the game at 2.
 
The home run gave the Bears momentum but it was short-lived as Pearl River plated a run in the third on an RBI triple putting Southwest down once again at 3-2.
 
The fourth and fifth innings turned into a pitcher's duel as both teams were retired in order during both frames. Southwest starter Dawson Richard recorded a strikeout during the sequence and added another in the sixth shutting the door on the Wildcats who were threatening with the bases loaded.
 
The deficit grew to two in the seventh as Pearl River pushed a run across on an RBI single. Southwest tried to rally in the bottom half of the inning as Presley got on base via a walk. But the next three batters were unfortunately retired in order as the Wildcats held on for the win.
 
Moore continued his big day with another two hits. Presley went 1-for-2 with a home run, one run scored and two RBIs.
 
Richard went 6.1 innings giving up six hits, four runs (earned) and three walks while striking out six.

Despite the losses on paper, Edmonson believes the games were a great test for his team as they prepare for postseason play.
 
"That was a perfect game for us to play leading into the playoffs," he said. "It put us in situations that were tough and we were able to handle it and get out of those with minimal damage."
 
With Tuesday's doubleheader marking the final series at home this season, Edmonson said afterward he was very grateful for the fan support this season whether they were cheering at the park or from afar.
 
"I'm so proud of the people that come out and support us, in the stands, on BearTV, people that message us and talk to us and talk about us," Edmonson said. "The tradition and the baseball at Southwest Mississippi is growing and it something that people are proud of, it is something that people can get on board with. I'm really proud of seeing three quarters of our bleachers full tonight and we have a lot of support and our guys really appreciate that. One of them sent me a video last week of the fans stomping their feet and clapping their hands leading up to the last out and that was really cool."
 
Southwest will have nearly a week to prepare for play at the 2025 NJCAA Region 23 Postseason Tournament. The Bears are the 7^th seed and will have a play-in game against 10^th seeded Holmes on Monday. Game time is still to be determined as of Tuesday night. The game will take place at East Central Community College in Decatur, one of two sites hosting games. A win in the singled elimination contest for the Bears will allow them to move on and face a higher seed in a best-of-three series.