I’ve always heard and read that pitching is the most important thing in the playoffs. But after watching two games this week, I’m not so sure that’s entirely true.

On Tuesday, I saw Beardstown pitcher Sarah Heller pitch what I ruled a no-hitter — others argued there were one or two hits (which I ruled errors) but I called it a no-hitter — and Heller’s team lost to New Berlin, 1-0, after making four errors in the final two innings.

Then on Wednesday, I saw Greenfield pitcher Ellissa Sexton struck out 13 batters over seven innings. She made one mistake, allowing a leadoff home run in the top of the fifth inning. Her team went on to lose, 1-0.

I thought both pitchers turned in remarkable performances, but neither got much help from their team. In one instance, it was defense. In the other, it was a lack of hitting.

So while it is commonly believed that pitching usually decides a team’s fate in the postseason, this isn’t always the case.

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