They were having too much fun.

Union played three games Saturday in the Class 3A bi-district softball tournament, missing a berth to the state tournament by one win. The Capital Cougars finished the Titans’ season with a 4-3 victory as day turned into night at the Sprinker Recreation Center.

Not that anyone was complaining.

“Eighth in regionals for a first-year team with no seniors,” sophomore center fielder Chrystal Craig proudly proclaimed. “Even though we lost, I feel like we won.”

Capital scored two unearned runs in the first inning, then added two more runs in the fourth for a four-run lead. The Titans, though, made it interesting.

Kadi Henderson’s run-scoring double in the bottom of the fourth gave the Titans some life. Union got two more runs in the fifth, one off an error and the other off the bat of Alexis Cline on a sacrifice fly.  

In the seventh, Becca Thomsen doubled with two outs to get the tying run in scoring position before Union’s rally came to an end.

“These girls, they don’t quit,” Union coach Alex Perry said. “The thing I’m most proud of them is the effort I get out of them. They play with a lot of heart, and they truly love the game.”

Perry then pointed at his players, all in a huddle, sharing stories, laughing.

“They just lost a heartbreaker to go to state, and they’re still enjoying the moment,” he said.

The Titans also get a chance to do it all over again next year.

“As a first-year school, it’s been pretty amazing to play with the big dogs and be respected by them,” said Craig, who had two stellar defensive plays in the outfield to keep the game close.

She also cannot wait until next year.

“Nobody’s leaving because we don’t have any seniors,” she said. “We’re going to be twice as big, twice as strong, and I’m totally stoked.”

The Titans started Saturday with a 7-3 victory over Mount Rainier in a loser-out game. Katie Hertenstien and Katee Dobler each drove in two runs.
Union then had two chances to win for a berth to state. Bonney Lake stopped Union’s momentum with a 2-1 victory, setting up the final game against Capital.