Staff photo / Brian Yauger Howland freshman Makenna Perry pitches during Tuesday’s victory over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in a Division III district semifinal in Howland.

HOWLAND — A five-run first inning was all Howland needed on Tuesday to punch its ticket to a district championship. Backed by freshman battery Makenna Perry and Olivia Lambert, the Tigers shut down Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, allowing just one hit, in a 5-0 win.

Perry sat down 14 in the victory. Over the last few games, the freshman ace has really come into her own.

“Makenna’s really found her groove the last couple games, so as long as we get in the box and put runners on, we are easily able to back her up in terms of in the field,” Tigers coach Nicole Wayt said. “Makenna comes in as a really high-caliber, experienced travelball player. We knew coming in this year, even though she was going to be a freshman, that she’d have great composure. One thing that makes her great as a pitcher is that pitching is a mental game, and she’s able to keep herself composed and just go to the next at-bat.”

Howland’s hit parade started from the top of the lineup with leadoff hitter Madison Schmitz. Schmitz quickly found her way to third base before being knocked home by junior Maya Kubancsek with a single.

“Madison Schmitz is obviously a beast,” Wayt said. “She does anything she can to try and get on base. She broke the (all-time) school hit record tonight, and she’s going to probably own about four records this year. She’s a beast. We always want her on base, and she’s usually doing whatever she can to get out there.”

With Kubansek on, sophomores Brooklyn VanNess and Ella Newbrough each reached to load the bases.

Then senior right fielder Marissa Ray cleared the bases. Calleigh Luman, the next batter up, scored Ray off a sacrifice.

VanNess recorded two hits in the win.

The month of May has been a grind for the Tigers. With two games against both Canfield and Boardman, and non-league games with Champion and Hubbard, Howland has been tested every time they’ve stepped out on the field. It’s only made the Tigers stronger with tournament play in full swing.

“I’m super proud of this group of girls,” Wayt said. “On paper, we have no business competing with a lot of the teams that we’ve competed with this year. I think one of the best kept secrets to this team is what’s made us able to complete this year is the team chemistry. Every good coach knows that team chemistry can make or break a team, and one thing we’ve had really good going this year is the fact that these girls just get along and have fun.”

The Tigers earned a trip to the district finals, where they’ll take on top-seeded Hoban. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at Norwayne High School.

“We tell them it’s one game at a time,” Wayt said. “When I look at a bracket, my strategy is always to get to the final. Whatever our strategy is to try and get to the final, that’s what I’m going to do. If that’s seeing the best (team), it’s seeing the best, because to win it all, you have to beat the best anyway, so we might as well go see the best.”