I haven't had time yet to read all the posts and may be saying the same thing someone else did .... but, even though I soak my beans, or not, ... if I don't cook them a couple hours or until tender .... they will never soften up in the sauce, no matter how much longer you cook them. They need to be tender before you add whatever you are going to add. Mostly this happens with white beans.
If I load dry red beans, along with a piece of ham, celery, onion, etc. and cook in the crock pot, they are nice and tender. I don't even soak them. Nor do I soak pinto beans.
At least the dogs ate them. Try again! It is all good.