With the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 4 title on the line against Falconer at Ernie Strickland Field on Friday, she came up big again.

Marsh hammered a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, then scored the decisive third run in the fourth inning and when things got tough she spoke to the team to settle down and secure the 5-2 victory.

“Courtney Marsh did the same thing yesterday,” Ellicottville head coach Matt Finn said about an early home run from Marsh. “Today when she gets up and hits that one over right-center field, her swing is just so smooth and so strong, it’s huge for the team going up 2-0.”

After walking Ande Northrup in the top of the first and Marsh’s home run, Falconer pitcher Nylah Sharpe found her groove until the fourth inning when Ellicottville returned to the top of the lineup.

Falconer’s Emily Zaranek throws across the infield to first base during Friday’s CCAA Division 4 softball game against Ellicottville at Ernie Strickland Field in Falconer. P-J photo by Christian Storms

“Nylah hasn’t pitched in two years,” Falconer head coach Emily Narraway said. “This year she’s come in strong for us. She has stepped up in ways more than we could have asked. She’s been a phenomenal part of this team and the team has supported her all the way through.”

Falconer had several chances to get the runs back, but each time Ellicottville freshman Katie Lafferty was able to get out of the jam.

In the bottom of the first, Falconer stranded runners on second and third with Lafferty getting a big strikeout and inducing a grounder. Then, in the third, she got out of the same situation following a two-out double by Emily Zaranek with a pop-up to end the frame.

“Our leadership for sure,” Finn said about getting out of tough innings. “Katie kind of took a little bit of the game over, but Courtney Marsh — I called timeout and Courtney Marsh spoke the whole time and I looked at her and said ‘what Courtney just said.’ That was huge, them stepping up and making plays today, just being able to believe in themselves.”

Ellicottville added its final two runs in the top of the fifth inning when Northrup led off with a double and wild pitches brought her home. Drew Ficek drove in Lafferty with an RBI single, but the inning ended on the same play when Marsh also tried scoring from second and was thrown out by left fielder Katrina Schrantz.

Falconer brought in Emily Rhinehart to get the final two outs as she continued her return from injury with limited time in the circle. Pitching the final 2 2/3 innings, Rhinehart recorded six strikeouts and gave up only one hit.

“She’s been resting,” Narraway said about Rhinehart. “We’ve been stretching and icing. The last two games she’s really felt good after playing. We’re hoping now, depending on when we play in playoffs, she’ll have a nice little break and come back just as strong.”

With Rhinehart now in the game, Falconer looked to erase the five-run deficit and it began again with Khloe Livengood walking and twins Mylie and Emily Zaranek putting the ball in play with consecutive singles. Katrina Schrantz drove in both Livengood and Mylie Zaranek to make it 5-2 Ellicottville with two outs.

“Our team kept positive attitudes the whole game and that’s what I’m thankful for,” Narraway added. “Every girl was willing to do what they needed. … My girls played hard and fought through it until the end.”

After a visit to the circle, Marsh settled down her teammates and Lafferty induced another grounder which was turned by second baseman Kalyn Crowley to get out of the inning.

Falconer added singles in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, but that’s all Lafferty would allow as Ellicottville (10-3, 8-1) closed out the game and the league title.

The Eagles were led by Northrup going 1 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. Marsh ended 2 for 3 with a two-run homer and a pair of runs scored, and Ficek finished 2 for 2 with two RBIs.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Finn stated. “All season long we knew we’ve got Falconer this year, it’s a new addition to our league, it’s going to be so much harder. We split with them and it was harder. They made us work and I’m super proud of these girls.”

Mylie Zaranek finished 2 for 4 with a run for the Golden Falcons and Emily Zaranek went 2 for 4 with a double. Heading into the postseason, Falconer (10-3, 7-3) hopes to see the full return of Rhinehart and Hannah Melquist to the lineup.

“We’re battling a bunch of injuries right now, but the girls are taking their rehab seriously,” Narraway stated. “Coming into playoffs we’ll be back and ready to go. I’m proud of these girls, they’re fighting hard with a new coach which is not always an easy adjustment, but they’re doing well and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”