Tuesday's games at Co-Lin not only marked a conference doubleheader against Southwest's rivals but also the first two games of the 2025 Coca-Cola Classic.
And even though the Bears competed hard in both contests, they could not get over multiple errors in Game 1, falling 6-3, and came up just short in the nightcap, losing 2-1.
"We played one good game today and one bad game," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "The one bad game, we made seven errors. In the good game we played, the ball didn't bounce our way."
Right out of the gates, the Bears (11-18, 2-4 MACCC) struck first.
Jake Meilstrup led off with a single and advanced to third two at-bats later when Lane Steinwinder doubled off the left field wall. Ensuing batter Justin Domiano hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Meilstrup to score and give Southwest a 1-0 advantage.
Southwest starter Brodey Walker went to work, retiring three of the four batters he faced to keep the Wolves off of the board.
The Bears lost the momentum in the third as the Wolves plated two runs to make it a 2-1 game.
Southwest answered back in the top of the fourth as Domiano launched a 3-2 pitch clear over the left field wall for a solo home run, tying the game at two.
Co-Lin broke the tie in the fifth with a single run, putting Southwest down 3-2.
Another single run for the Wolves in the sixth was followed by two in the seventh as the Bears couldn't find the offensive consistency they had earlier.
Cody Presely stepped up in the ninth and provided Southwest with its second solo home run of the day with a shot to left-center, cutting the deficit in half at 6-3.
Even though ensuing batter Cam Bolden got on via a single to keep the rally going, a double play followed by a strikeout resulted in the final outs and the win for the Wolves.
Domiano led Southwest with a home run, a run scored and two RBIs.
The early stages of Game 2 were a pitcher's duel between Southwest's Dawson Richard and Co-Lin's Jennings Kimbrell. Neither allowed a run through the first two innings, with Richard striking out two during that period and Kimbrell one.
The Wolves scored first in the third with a two-run home run to put the Bears down. Richard rebounded nicely, immediately closing the inning with two-consecutive strikeouts.
The Bears lit up their side of the scoreboard in the fifth. With one out, Cam Bolden walked and was joined on base by Jake Meilstrup who singled.
Bolden advanced to third on the hit before scoring during the ensuing at-bat when Gage Hinnant hit a single of his own. The run cut the Co-Lin lead in half at 2-1.
Unfortunately, Southwest could not find the consistent offense it needed for the remainder of the contest as Co-Lin preserved the narrow win.
Meilstrup and Hinnant led the Bears with two hits apiece, with the latter also recording an RBI.
Richard went the distance for Southwest giving up only two hits, two runs (earned) and three walks while striking out seven.
Southwest hits the road Saturday, heading to Clarksdale to face Coahoma at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
