CRYSTAL RIVER - Hernando Christian Academy claimed the Lions' first district championship title with a 10-0 win against Cedar Key Thursday at Bicentennial Park.
The Lions are in their inaugural year of the FHSAA after playing independently last season and for the Florida Christian Conference in previous years.
"I'm thrilled for the girls," Hernando Christian athletic director Jason Kahler said. "They are the first team in school history to win a district title. I just didn't think it would happen this quickly."
Hernando Christian (8-8, 4-2) won with a nine-run second inning that included eight walks and a leftfield home run by freshman Lexy Boever.
"She's our hitter; you can always count on Lexy in a pinch," coach Susan Seidelmann said. "You can look for her to go to the outfield. She launches it and it's gone."
Boever, who has three home runs this season, eighth-grade pitcher Meredith Handshaw and seventh-grader Jackie Butler each scored twice.
Handshaw threw eight strikeouts, and a strong double play by first baseman Ginny Wilfong kep Cedar Key at bay. Cedar Key (9-6, 3-1) had just one hit and 17 at-bats before umpires called the game in the fifth.
The Lions lost their home opener 9-7 to Cedar Key.
Hernando Christian Academy gained its first region berth Tuesday with a 6-2 victory against Seven Rivers Christian.
