After a tough one-run loss to Napavine on Friday, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley had one more chance to try and clinch a state tournament berth.

The Titans made their way to Chehalis on Saturday morning to face Toutle Lake, but unfortunately for them, that matchup was not as close as Friday’s was.

The Titans fell 11-1 in six innings and were eliminated from the district tournament.

“We just kind of ran out of bullets,” PWV coach Kent Smaciarz said.

The Titans had a better day offensively, but several squared up baseballs went directly to a Toutle Lake defender.

“They made great plays,” Smaciarz said. “Baseball is kinda cruel that way.”

Eddie Clements drove in the Titans’ lone run of the game on an RBI single in the fifth, and Brayden Ruddell also drilled a single to center.

With Liam Smaciarz unavailable, PWV turned to two other pitchers, but the Ducks were able to score early and often. After three, they led 8-0.

A two-run single in the bottom of the sixth off the bat of Jaeger Johnson brought home the 10th and 11th runs of the game for the run-rule walk-off.

The Titans finish their season 13-8. Though Kent Smaciarz acknowledged they fell short of their goal of making it to state, he still made sure to let his team know how proud he was of them.

“We overcame a lot of adversity this year in a lot of different areas,” Kent Smaciarz said. “Just really proud to be standing here today. It wasn’t how we planned it, but I love these guys.”

After the initial postgame huddle, each coach and player took turns embracing PWV’s three seniors; Kannyon Clements, Liam Smaciarz, and Ruddell.

“Those are three men and leaders that have been with our program for four years,” Kent Smaciarz said. “They’re a great example of what we aspire our players to be as people and as players.

“We just wanted to give them thanks and let them know how much we love them and appreciate them,” Kent Smaciarz continued. “Just to give everybody a chance to say thanks, and goodbye.”