The West Branch baseball team has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

The Warriors (26-6) play Indian Creek in the Division II State semi finals Friday at 1:00pm at Canal Park in Akron.

"This is a special group. Seven of them I've coached since they were eight years old, "said veteran coach Rick Mulinix.

The Warriors success is no surprise to them.

"This was our goal ever since we were little kids. We always played together and this is what we dream of, playing for a state championship," said Beau Alazaus, who will get the start Friday.

Shortstop Boston Mulinix, the son of the coach says the success is what they expected.

"We've been playing together for such a long time. We've kind of grown our chemistry and skills of the game and this is what we could do."

They've won seven in a row and their regular season schedule got them heading in the right direction.

"We played a very tough schedule," said Rick Mulinix. "That was on purpose for the tournament. We played seven teams that made the regionals in the regular season and that prepared our kids."

At this point all four teams in the semi finals are good and the Warriors area more concerned about themselves.

"Playing sound baseball, get the outs and throw the ball over the play and we'll be fine," said third baseman Anthony Perry.

"It doesn't matter who the opponent is. If we play our best baseball then we'll come away with the win," stated Alazaus.

The West Branch/Indian Creek winner faces the Padua/Hamilton Badin winner  for the Division II State Championship, Sunday at 10:00 am.