by Max Mercy

HIBBING -- Ben Humbert walked with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to force in Wyatt Ulrich for the game-winning run as International Falls defeated Proctor 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Section 7AA Playoffs at Al Nyberg Field in Hibbing.

Caleb Dahlin got the win in relief of Humbert, who allowed just one hit in 7.1 innings. Humbert walked two and had two hit batsmen, but had 11 strikeouts. Dahlin retired all eight batters he faced, and had one strikeout.

Losing pitcher Jack Nikko worked all 9.1 innings for Proctor. The run in the 10th was unearned. Nikko allowed five hits and four walks with two additional intentional walks. He had eight strikeouts.

Evan Scherber had Proctor's lone hit, a single to lead off the fourth inning. Dahlin had two hits for the Broncos.

Proctor finishes the season with an 11-7 record. The Rails qualified for the Section 7AA Playoffs Final Four for the fourth straight season and fifth time in seven years. They were two-time defending Section 7AA champions.

International Falls went on to defeat Cloquet, 7-4, in the semifinals and will face Hermantown in the section championship on Thursday at Hibbing. The Broncos will need to defeat the Hawks twice for their first trip to state since 1995. Hermantown last won the section championship in 2005. Hermantown has nine section championships, and International Falls has four.