(updated 7 p.m.) Eastwood softball beats Sandy Valley to advance to state semifinals (6-1-13)

ASHLAND — The next stop for Eastwood’s softball express is the state semifinals Friday at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
The Eagles, 29-3, earned the Division III semifinal berth with an 11-6 win over Magnolia Sandy Valley Saturday afternoon in Ashland’s Brookside Park.
Eastwood, ranked No. 6 in the state, will play Carroll Bloom-Carroll at 10 a.m. Friday. Bloom-Carroll, ranked No. 1 in the state and 27-3, advanced with a 5-1 win over Chillicothe Zane Trace Saturday.
‘‘It’s really awesome for our group of seniors to lead the team in going there,’’ Eastwood senior Emily Helm said about going to the state tournament. ‘‘I don’t know how to express it in words ... It’s just amazing feeling ... It’s been our goal since freshman year.’’
‘‘It’s unbelievable, so crazy and awesome to be able to that with this group of girls,’’ Eastwood sophomore Krista Jennings said.
It’s the first time an Eastwood softball team has reached the state semifinals.
“It’s very exciting and emotional. I’m not a real emotional guy, but I am a little bit today,’’ said Joe Wyant, Eastwood’s head coach. ‘‘Our girls just didn’t give up. I’m proud of the way we played and they didn’t hang their heads after letting them come back.’’