ASHLAND — It was a rematch of last year, but the tables were turned.

Bucyrus and Ashland Crestview met in the sectional final for the second straight year and the experience paid off for the Lady Redmen.

Sophomore Caleigh Rister pitched a gem and tripled in the first run for Bucyrus as the Redmen upset the top-seeded Lady Cougars, 3-0, in the Division III sectional championship.

“We had to come ready and we knew that,” Rister said. “We walked onto the field and it was just a different atmosphere from the last couple of games.”

Rister outdueled fellow sophomore, Rylie Ringler, who was touched for three runs on just four hits. She struck out 11 and walked three.

“Last year, we got beat by this team, 4-0,” Bucyrus coach Pudge Hargis said. “The seniors were really excited to get back over here and get at this again. A great high school ball game. Two good pitchers, two pretty good teams.”

The Redmen did all the damage Rister would need in the third inning. Lauren Kohler drew a walk to lead off and came around to score when Rister sliced a triple down the left field line. Rister then came across on a single by Alexis Dye.

“This year, we couldn’t come through with the hits like they did,” Crestview coach Aaron Goon said. “They got their first two runs because of a misplayed ball and their last run, infield hits.”

Paige Schaefer had two singles, one in the second and one in the fourth and Ringler had a single in the sixth for the only safeties against Rister. Natalie Restille and Mary Leeper walked and Lindsey Them reached on an error to account for the only six Cougar base runners, all stranded.

“We’ve never made it through sectionals and we’ve never beat Crestview,” Kohler said. “So, I honestly couldn’t be happier.”

Ashley Davis singled in the second and Jade Torres singled in the sixth for the other two Bucyrus hits. Davis drove home Dye — who had walked and stolen second and third — with a ground ball in the sixth.

Some had questioned why Hargis chose to play in Crestview’s bracket when he had other options even as the No. 6 seed.

“I played Galion and they’re a pretty good team,” Hargis said. “I don’t know who’s going to win that Galion-(Huron) game, but I was staying away from them. That was No. 1. The No. 2 thing was I looked at (Crestview’s) league (Firelands Conference) and think this league’s a good league, but I don’t think it’s quite as tough as that Galion league (MOAC).”

Goon lamented missed opportunities on offense.

“We put the ball in play a few times,” Goon said. “Usually when you put the ball in play, good things happen. But today, not for us.”

Goon will say good-bye to three seniors — Schaefer, Restille and shortstop Clare Robertson — after the Cougars, who are still playing for the FC title, complete two regular season games.

“We saw a great team tonight,” Dye said. “And I think we’ll continue to see good teams, but I don’t think we’re done yet.”

“Our kids responded,” Hargis said. “They wanted this game. When kids get excited a little bit, it’s fun to watch them. That’s why I’m still coaching.”

“We definitely exited (the tournament) quicker than I thought we should have,” Goon said. “But the girl they’ve got throws well and we knew that going in. She’s a heck of a player. We knew that from last year.”

Box score

Bucyrus       002 001 0     3    4    1

Crestview   000 000 0     0   3     1

WP: Caleigh Rister (12 SO, 2 W)

LP: Kylie Ringler (11 SO, 3 W)

HR: None.

Triples: (B) Caleigh Rister.

Doubles: None.

Multiple hits: (C) Paige Schaefer.

Records: Bucyrus 17-6; Crestview 19-3.

Next: Bucyrus at Tiffin Columbian, Saturday; New London at Crestview, Saturday.