NEW ULM — The Springfield Tigers responded after a rough first inning, running away from the Fairfax Cardinals for a 15-6 win in a Region 2C Amateur Baseball Tournament elimination bracket game Saturday at Johnson Park.

The win moves Springfield on to a state-qualifying game against Stark in Sleepy Eye at 3 p.m.

Fairfax took a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning off Tigers starting pitcher Brandon Wilhelmi after an error and four hits before the Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the inning. The Tigers then took control in a third inning that saw eight runs cross the plate on nine hits.

Wilhelmi shook off that first inning and finished with six innings of work, allowing nine hits and no walks for six runs, one earned, while striking out five.

Scott Palmer took the loss for Fairfax in seven innings, allowing 17 hits and a walk for 13 earned runs while striking out four.

The Tigers outhit the Cardinals 17-9 in the game.

Carter Erickson was 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Tigers at the plate, while Decker Scheffler was 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Aiden Moriarty was 2 for 4 with a homer, a double and five RBIs also for Springfield, while Ryan Sturm was 2 for 4 with an RBI, Jacob Poehler was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI and Tori Helget was 2 for 6 with an RBI.

Palmer was 2 for 3 with three RBIs to lead Fairfax at the plate, while Andrew Willemssen was 2 for 5.

Also on Saturday, Lamberton eliminated No. 2 seed Leavenworth with a 2-1 win at Johnson Park. No statistics were provided for that game. Lamberton will play Hanska at 6 p.m. Saturday in Sleepy Eye with a state berth on the line.