Bobcats lose battle against Monarchs

BATTLING BOBCAT: Union’s Jordan Brown pops up a pitch during the state title game Friday at PGE Park. Brown finished the game with one hit on three plate appearances. The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

Umpqua Valley Christian edged Union in a well-played, defensive-minded game, 2-1.

The Bobcats (21-2) boasted an impressive record and a 20-game win streak, but was the underdog against the No. 1 Monarchs.

“We played a very good team, to a very good score,” Union head coach Greg Poor said. “I thought it could have gone either way. They had some kids step up and have some big hits.

“And unfortunately when we needed it, we couldn’t quite drive those runs in. We had opportunities and didn’t capitalize and they did.”

UVC’s Bo Younker went from a member of last season’s Class 4A all-state third team to this year’s Class 2A/1A player of the year. Younker was a member of South Umpqua last year when Umpqua Valley Christian lost by one to Portland Christian in the class 2A/1A final.

Younker was named the Monarchs player of the game Friday after going 2 for 3 with a single and a triple. He also threw the first five innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run.

“I told the kids that I hope it was a great experience for them,” Poor said. “I told them that the only thing about today is today can make it better. Today’s not going to make anything worse.

“We’re still playing in the state championships. There were a whole bunch of other teams that would have traded anything to be in our shoes. If I would have been asked at the beginning of the year, do I want to make it all the way to the state championships and lose? I would be an idiot to say no.”

Umpqua Valley Christian’s Isaac Graham scored in the first inning off a Ryan Graf sacrifice fly to right field.

The Monarchs’ Michael Graham added another run in the top of the third inning when he took the first pitch from Cody Billman over the left field wall.

“It was a good game,” Union senior Zack Kimball said. “I just wish we could have taken it. It was awesome being there. I have never been in a state championship game.”

“You can’t find better chemistry than the kind we got. I’m going to miss all the guys. The season was just amazing.”

Union got its first hit in the bottom of third inning when Jordan Brown doubled down the left field line.

The Bobcats got their first run in the following inning after Kimball drove in Jeremy Moore with a single to left field.

Union failed to get much going after that. The Bobcats’ next hit in the fifth inning was their last.

Graf came in to close for Younker and retired Union’s final six batters in order.

“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” Poor said. “I’m proud of the guys who never got into the game to the guys who read their names in the paper every night when we play a game. They’ve all worked hard and they’ve all accomplished everything a coach could ask for.”

The Bobcats finished with a phenomenal record and the school’s first state championship appearance since 1971. Union moves to 0-3 in the championship game. It was Umpqua Valley Christian’s second title.

“There is a common misconception that winning breeds fondness,” Poor said. “It just does not. I won with groups that I haven’t particularly cared for and I’ve lost with guys I really like.

“This was the magic combination of you love them and we’re winning. I’m going to hate to see some of them go.”

As Poor walked down the tunnel out of the locker room toward the team bus, the thought of returning the majority of his roster may have entered his head and he looked back and said, “Who knows, we may be right back here this time next year.”

UVC    101 000 0    —    2 7 2

Union    000 100 0    —    1 4 1

W — Younker. L — Billman. S — Graf. 2B— UVC, Forrester; U, Brown. 3B— UVC, Younker. HR— UVC, Mic. Graham.