BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — The baseball field is silent at Hernando High School.

The 2020 season came to an abrupt halt in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There had been hope the season would resume. That changed April 18^th when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that distance learning would continue for the remainder of the school year.  

The FHSAA followed on April 20^th: “It is with heavy hearts that the FHSAA has decided to cancel all FHSAA affiliated events, inclusive of the state series and all championship events, for spring sports.”

“They felt like the carpet was just pulled out from underneath them,” said Hernando baseball parent Tiffany Taylor, whose son Steve is a senior. “They were just left with nothing.”

Hernando baseball parents knew the 2020 senior class would never play for the Leopards again. So some of the mom’s crafted a unique way to honor the boys – with a drive-by senior night.

“We had an idea pop,” said Taylor. “I texted the girls at like 11:30 at night saying ‘hey, do you think we can make this happen for the boys?’”

“I got flowers for the moms and we put up banners and balloons and really quickly getting it out using social media and getting the word out to everyone that we could,” said Samantha Black, who has twin senior sons on the team.

On a day in which Hernando was scheduled to open district play cars instead lined up near the high school to big farewell to the seniors, who watched from a safe distance.  

“It was a good way to say goodbye and one last time to be together as a team with all the parents and everybody who has supported us throughout the seasons,” said Dylan Black, a senior catcher and outfielder.

“We could see everyone who was driving those cars and we know them,” said Preston Black, a senior infielder. “It was nice seeing everyone we know.”

Following the parade of cars, the seniors and their parents made their way out on the baseball field for one final time. In the middle of photos, the boys decided to stay apart no more.

“They all just kind of looked at each other and said ‘heck with this, we’re taking a group picture’ and they wrapped their arms around each other,” said Taylor.

“It was just great knowing that we were there together,” said Steve Taylor, a senior first baseman. “Honestly it was just great to be back with everybody.”

“It felt like everyone wanted to be there together and stay there for as long as we could,” said Samantha Black.

Balloons were released and closure set in. As the Hernando High players left the field that night, they were filled with hope for the future and a lasting appreciation for their community that sees them all as their sons.