Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School softball team rallied from the brink for a memorable Senior Night victory Friday in Middleton.

Elaina Gonzalez slapped a walk-off single to center to cap a three-run seventh for the Buffalo, who stormed back late for a 4-3 win over Mount Dora Christian at the VHS Softball Stadium.

Gonzalez roped a 1-2 pitch back up the middle with the bases loaded and two outs in the home half of the seventh, breaking a 3-3 tie and sending VHS spilling out of the dugout in celebration. The Buffalo improved to 13-6 overall this spring with the win. 

The game-winning hit came after Alexis Swetnam tied the game with a two-run triple earlier in the inning, as the eighth-grader barreled a ball to left that dropped in front of a diving attempt by MDCA outfielder Jayla Roberts.

Emily Thompson earned the win in the pitcher's circle, striking out 10 and allowing just two earned runs over seven innings of work. Layla Farrish, one of two seniors honored pregame alongside Lexy Dunn, had a pair of hits in the victory.

VHS (13-6) returns to action at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the road at Tavares (2-14).


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