Union City pitcher Carrie Williams and Cambridge Springs counterpart Stephanie Baer were familiar with each other long before Tuesday’s Region 2 softball game. The junior Williams and the senior Baer have traded strikeouts in previous matchups between the Bears and Blue Devils.

Their softball camaraderie only grew in the offseason.

“We did a camp together over the winter,” Williams said. “I definitely have great respect for Stephanie, but when it comes down to it I want to beat her more than anybody.”

Williams accomplished that Tuesday. She pitched a three-hitter in the Bears’ 1-0 victory over the Blue Devils before more than 100 fans at Cambridge Springs.

Union City won the Region 2 title with a 17-1 record, the Bears’ first since District 10 went to the format four years ago.

Williams didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Baer was equally effective, allowing four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.

Williams pitched the shutout despite an uncharacteristic three errors by the Bears. She praised her teammates, anyway.

“Every game, I get a little panicked at the start,” Williams said. “But once I look around and see that I have the best defense in the region on my side, I get confident that they’re going to get that out for me.”

Tuesday’s victory automatically qualified Union City for the District 10 Class A semifinals, scheduled May 22 at Allegheny College. Despite the loss, the Blue Devils (16-2, 16-3) are expected to receive an at-large berth.

— Mike Copper