That’s exactly what No. 1 Falconer did on Monday in a 7-0 Section VI Class C quarterfinal playoff win over visiting No. 8 Randolph.

“That was a good, clean game on both sides,” said Falconer head coach Sadie Stuart. “They know — especially with that 1-seed vs. 8-seed game — it still takes work no matter who you’re playing, and as long as you do the work, you should be fine. But we’ve got to do the work together.”

The Golden Falcons did just that with starting pitcher Kayla Lynn and Ashton Beckerink combining on a one-hit shutout.

Randolph struck out just twice, but Falconer’s defense was on point all game, including 14 outs through the air. Center fielder Courtnee Peterson ran down four herself and Ashley Pierce made a nice running catch in left field in the first inning. Shortstop Tess Spangenberg also caught five through the air, including a diving snag, followed by catching a low sinking liner in the fifth inning.

Falconer’s Kayla Lynn charges a ball from third base during the Golden Falcons’ 7-0 Section VI Class C quarterfinal win over Randolph on Monday at Ernie Strickland Field. Photo by Jon Sitler

Randolph’s Abby Mansfield kept the game scoreless by retiring the first five of the game and eight of the first nine. But Falconer’s formidable lineup broke through with two outs in the third. Lynn and Macy Youngberg had back-to-back base hits, and Nicole Youngberg put the Falcons on the board with an RBI knock. Following hits from Spangenberg and Emily Melquist, Falconer led 4-0 after three innings.

With one out in the fifth, Falconer would string together four more hits from Nicole Youngberg, Spangenberg, Melquist and a two-run single from Beckerink to cap the 7-0 win.

“They get the night to feel good, but it’s business come morning,” said Stuart, whose Falcons are 12-2 overall and winners of seven straight. Randolph finishes 7-3.

Macy and Nicole Youngberg and Melquist each had multiple hits. Lavani Johnson doubled in the loss.

Falconer will host No. 4 Westfield in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. today.

“They have blown me away with how close they have gotten as a unit and they keep saying the words ‘unit’ and ‘family’ without me bringing it up,” said Stuart. “That makes me so proud. For them to reap the rewards of doing the work as a team rather than just the X’s and O’s of softball, it gives me goosebumps. I just try to keep their heads in the right spot and do the work they know that have to do, together.”

The Falcons are aware that today is a new day.

“Our team is very close and gets along super well this year,” said Macy Youngberg. “I think that’s one of the reasons our season has been so successful. Everyone’s always cheering and lifting each other up in every game, whether we’re winning or losing. We’ve played with each other for so long, and everyone has been willing to put a lot of time in during the off-season. This team is so supportive, and we all work really hard to be where we are today.”