It was an attrition of futility with runners in scoring position, extending into five extra innings. Somebody eventually had to come through with a clutch hit. It was Sam Baier.

The junior infielder hit an 0-1 fastball over the left-center field fence in the 12th inning, giving Springfield a 7-6 victory over Kimball Area in the Class 1A quarterfinals Friday afternoon at the Mini Met in Jordan.

“I was looking for a pitch up in the zone that I could drive,” said Baier, who went 3-for-7 with two RBI. “I was just trying to get a base hit, and get on.”

The problem wasn’t getting on base for both teams. It was driving in runners in scoring position. One team or another left a base runner on third in eight of the innings, and they both did it in two of those innings.

“That was nerve-racking,” Baier said. “Quite a few runners were left in scoring position.”

Both teams appeared to finally get that key hit in the 11th inning. But both centerfielders -- Jacob Vanderwerf of Springfield and Ty Morrison of Kimball Area -- threw out runners at home plate.

“It was an unforgettable game,” Baier said. “It’s one for the books. It was crazy.”

Springfield rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie it at six-all. Jacob Vanderwerf’s two-out single to right field scored the tying run. The previous batter, Jaden Mickelson delivered a sacrifice fly.

The Cubs scored three runs in the fifth inning, taking a 6-4 advantage. Quinten Berres and Joey VonWahlde had run-scoring singles while Ty Morrison has hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

VonWahlde hit a solo home run in the third inning. He also walked and scored on a sacrifice fly in the first. He and Troy Filzen each finished with three hits.

Springfield starting pitcher Carter Erickson had four hits and scored three runs. Winning pitcher Jevan Richert, who threw 6 2-3 innings of scoreless relief, and Vanderwerf each had three hits.

 The Tigers (22-3) will play the winner of Deer River and New Ulm Cathedral in the semifinals on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.