SUMMIT – The Southwest Bears took an early 7-0 lead in game two and held on for an 8-6 win to gain a split in their MACJC South Division doubleheader with visiting Pearl River Wednesday. Pearl River scored two runs in the top of the 11th to win the opener, 2-0.

In the nightcap, an Austin Knight single past second base drove Logan Ferrell to the plate to put the Bears on top 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Ferrell was on base after leading off the inning with a base hit.

The Bears (11-13, 5-5) sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the second and scored six times to take a 7-0 lead. Catcher Trent Gordy had a double and RBI single in the inning. Courtesy runner Sam Richard, on base for Gordy, scored on a Patric Devlin ground out. Kendric Hodges drove in a pair of runs with a double to right while Anthony Durr and Trey Wynn both had run-producing hits in the inning.

Three base hits, a pair of hit batters and a walk helped Pearl River (16-12, 3-5) get on the board with three runs in the top of the third to make the score 7-3. The Bears picked up their final run of the game, and made the score 8-3, when Andrew Hulbert, on base via a walk, scored in the bottom of the inning as part of a double steal.

The Wildcats made it interesting in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs on three hits and a walk. But, with a runner on base, Southwest relievers Jade Whitten and J. D. Stockstill combined to strike out the final three batters and preserve the victory.

Chase Ladd gave up four runs on five hits in three innings on the mound to record the win for the Bears. He struck out one and walked three. Stockstill struck out both batters he faced to pick up the save.

Jacob Savoy threw three innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits. He struck out a batter and walked one. Whitten gave up one hit and had a strikeout. Devlin had two singles in the game while Hulbert also hit safely.

Runs were at a premium in the opener with both teams squandering numerous chances to win the game in regulation play. The Bears had the best chance in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on second and third with only one out. But, two straight strikeouts ended the threat and forced the extra play.

Pearl River broke the deadlock in their half of the 11th inning when Kyle Dolan was hit by a pitch and scored two batters later on Jalen Haskin’s triple to left field. Haskin then scored on Lamar Anthony’s two-out single past third base. The Bears put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the frame, but were unable to score, allowing Pearl River to escape with the win.

Reliever Brady Badon took the loss with 3.2 innings on the mound. He gave up two runs on four hits while striking out four and issuing one base on balls.

The loss negated another noteworthy performance by starter Cliff Hurst. Hurst surrendered only three hits in 7.1 innings of work. He struck out five batters while walking only three.

Collin Carroll, Devlin, Hulbert and Knight each had a single to account for the Bears’ hits in the game.

The Bears return to action Saturday with a 2:00 doubleheader at East Central.