Middleton, Fla. — Marcello Cortale and Konnor Briggs both homered, Lincoln Gagne tossed four hitless innings and The Villages High School baseball team extended its win streak to three games to open the 2025 season on Tuesday night in Middleton. 

The Buffalo cruised to a 12-0 victory in five innings over visiting Oak Hall (Gainesville) at the VHS Baseball Stadium, improving to 3-0 overall on the young season.

The Villages scored in the first inning for the third time in as many games, jumping out to a 5-0 lead early. Briggs capped the first frame with a two-run home run that rode a stiff breeze out to right — his first hit of the season — to give Gagne plenty of breathing room on the mound.

The senior right-hander didn't need much run support, it turned out, as Gagne faced the minimum over four innings of work without allowing a hit. He finished with seven strikeouts and just one walk allowed.

Cortale hit his third homer of the spring in the second inning, a solo shot to center, helping VHS out to a 7-0 advantage.

The Buffalo added another run in the third and slapped five hits in a four-run fourth inning, eventually securing the victory via mercy rule in the fifth. 

Cortale finished 3-for-3 with the home run, a pair of doubles and three RBI, while Torin Foley had two hits and two stolen bases in the win for VHS. The Buffalo also took advantage of four Oak Hall errors on the night.

The Villages returns to the diamond at 7 p.m. Friday night, as the Buffalo host Lake Weir at the VHS Baseball Stadium in Middleton.

Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.