Going into Monday's Region 23 play-in game at East Central, the No. 7 seeded Bears knew that there was no room for error in a win-or-go-home game against No. 10 seed Holmes.
And even though Southwest grabbed an early lead and tried to mount a late comeback, the Bears couldn't keep it going, falling 6-2 to end the season.
"We just couldn't get going, couldn't get going offensively," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "That is what you try to prevent during the layoff and we did as much as we could to make sure that we were ready to go, but credit to those guys, credit to their pitcher."
The Bears (24-33) got off to a strong start as starter Dawson Richard sat the Bulldogs down in order in the first while getting a strikeout in the effort.
The quick inning fired up the offense as Tanner Moore singled and, after stealing both second and third, he scored when ensuing batter Justin Domiano hit a sacrifice fly to center, making it a 1-0 lead for Southwest.
The lead didn't last, as the Bulldogs responded with a run in the top of the second, taking advantage of a Bear error to tie the game at one.
After Southwest was unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning, Holmes took the lead in the third on an RBI single, making it a 2-1 deficit for the Bears.
Southwest threatened in the third by putting both Jake Meilstrup and Domiano on base via a single and a walk, but neither were able to be brought home.
The Bears stayed within striking distance until the fifth when Holmes added two runs on a single, putting Southwest down 4-1.
The Bears tried to respond in the fifth but were unable to find the consistent offense it needed. The lead grew to four in the sixth as the Bulldogs hit a solo home run to right.
Despite the deficit, Southwest continued to battle and threatened once again in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases following a Holmes error and two-consecutive hit batters. But the Bulldogs converted a fielder's choice to get out of the inning.
Holmes added to its lead in the seventh with an RBI single, making it a 6-1 game.
Down to their final three outs, the Bears put together a rally, getting singles from Cody Presley and Gage Hinnant before the former scored on an RBI double from Meilstrup to make it a 6-2 game.
But the resurgence was short-lived as the following batter was retired, sealing the win for Holmes.
Richard pitched 5.0 innings giving up five hits, five runs (three earned) and three walks while striking out six.
Presley and Meilstrup led the offense with two hits apiece. Presley added a run scored while Meilstrup added an RBI.
