NEW WASHINGTON — According to Buckeye Central coach Chad Jensen, tournament time is completely different than the regular season.

“Tournament games are different,” Jensen said. “It’s whatever happens in the regular season is different than now, and we knew we were going to get their best and we did. Fortunately for us, it worked out for us.”

And, in big games, players need to step up. BC got that from pitcher Isaac Hiler.

Hiler, a senior left-hander, permitted just two hits and struck out 13 in throwing six shutout innings as the Bucks stopped Crestline, 6-3, in the opening round of the Division IV sectional tournament.

With the win, the Bucks (8-13) advance to the sectional final and will play at South Central on Thursday.

The Bulldogs, who won just one game a year ago, finished their season at 4-13.

But Jensen and Crestline coach Mitch Sellers were equally impressed with Hiler, who didn’t permit a hit until Austin Henson singled in the top of the fourth.

“Isaac pitched really well,” Jensen said. “He was really spot on throughout the game. He got into a little bit of trouble in the seventh but that happens.

“I like how he got his composure back and threw strikes when he had to,” Jensen added. “He’s a gamer, a four-year letter winner for us. He’s been with us forever and he knows how to pitch. He’s a gamer. I was hoping that we would be okay, and he got it back and it turned out okay.”

Sellers said that his team is very familiar with Hiler, who they have faced a number of times in his career.

“We knew Isaac was going to throw strikes; that’s what he does,” Sellers said. “Every time we play Buckeye Central, Isaac Hiler is the one on the mound.

“He’s wonky, he’s weird but he’s effective,” Sellers added. “He throws strikes; we just have to make those adjustments and we didn’t.”

Crestline starter Quentin Kapp, while not as effective as Hiler, also pitched well. Kapp permitted just four hits while striking out nine. He was hurt by six walks.

“(The pitching staff) has kept us in games all year,” Sellers said. “It’s them showing up; it’s them being consistent and taking everything we do seriously.”

Freshman Crew Gaskill worked the final frame on the hill for the Bulldogs and permitted two runs on two hits.

“(Kapp) pitched really well,” Jensen said. “He threw a lot of strikes; he mixed in the off-speed stuff. I was impressed, he really threw well. He kept us off-balance.”

BC got on the board in the second inning when Hunter Caudill lined a double down the left-field line and scored on a single from Lance Cole.

“Hunter Caudill gets a double for us and was able to score when we put the ball in play,” Jensen said. “Then a few other times we were able to score runs with just baserunning and stealing some bases and took advantage of that.”

BC added three runs in the fifth when Heath Jensen walked, Hiler doubled, and Jensen scored on an error. Hiler and Jacob Hiler, who struck out but reached on a wild pitch, scored on wild pitches.

The Bucks increased the lead to 6-0 in the sixth when Cole and Jensen reached base and scored on singles from Isaac and Jacob Hiler.

Crestline scored three times without the benefit of a hit in the seventh.

Henson reached on an error and Hunter Ferrell and Finn Belcik both walked, loading the bases with no outs.

Gaskill also walked, forcing in a run, and two others scored on wild pitches, but Hiler settled down and finished the game.

“(Hiler’s) been a stud ever since I’ve been at Crestline,” Sellers said. “We’ve always known Isaac is going to pitch and he’s going to throw strikes.”

Box score

Crestline                  000 000 3     3      2      1

Buckeye Central     010 032 X     6      6      1

WP: Isaac Hiler (13 SO, 3 W)

LP: Quentin Kapp (9 SO, 7 W)

HR: None.

Triples: None.

Doubles: (BC) Isaac Hiler, Hunter Caudill.

Multiple hits: (BC) Isaac Hiler.

Records: Crestline 4-13; Buckeye Central 8-13.

Next: Crestline season complete; Buckeye Central at South Central, Thursday, sectional final.