By Joshua Huff, sports editor
MONTGOMERY — Following Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s announcement on Thursday that ordered all school systems throughout the state to adopt a plan to wrap the academic year through virtual means, the ax was dropped on the high school spring sports season, effectively ending the careers of seniors and dashing the hopes of teams in contention for a state title.
The news does not come as a surprise as many experts have predicted that the coronavirus pandemic will only worsen as the nation slips deeper into spring.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” Ivey said. “It’s been made with a tremendous amount of concern and discussion. We must be serious about eliminating the spread of this virus. The public health orders are not suggestions. They have been put in place to save your life.”
The announcement ending the spring high sports season was made by Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey. Other activities such as proms and graduations could still be held later in the summer.
“I’m truly sorry, and I know Gov. Ivey and Dr. Harris are sorry that students are losing so many of the fun activities of their senior year that they really count on, but we have to do what is the most important and pressing thing and that is protecting the health and safety of our community,” Mackey said.
With that, the seasons of baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, track and field and softball have officially ended.
Not the way it was supposed to end for our seniors. Forever grateful for everything you did. One of the best senior classes to ever come through HT. We will highlight each guy in the coming days.@KeithLanum @KerriganEdmons1 @TylerMauldin6 @owen_boren Drake & Fowler #theHTprocess pic.twitter.com/KTfnNebRHu
— Hewitt Baseball (@hewitt_baseball) March 26, 2020
“News today is hard to process,” the Pinson Valley boys’ soccer team posted on Twitter. “Don’t want to believe it. To this years group of Seniors, I can’t express how much you have meant to the program. 3 years ago I wouldn’t have thought about scheduling the schedule we played this year … Class of 2020 you will never be forgotten. You guys helped put Pinson Valley soccer on the map. Words cannot express the thanks and love we have for you all.”
The season had come to a halt earlier this month with the possibility that it could recommence on April 6 after the AHSAA said that it would reevaluate health conditions and determine the status of spring sports championship play. The AHSAA released a statement on Thursday afternoon that the organization will make an announcement on Friday morning.
As those hopes of a return to play have been dashed, the following records are how the teams that have trackable records within The Trussville Tribune coverage area concluded their seasons.
CENTER POINT
Baseball: 1-0 (0-0)
Softball: Has not yet started season play.
Soccer
- Boys: 0-5 (0-4)
CLAY-CHALKVILLE
Baseball: 3-5
Softball: 0-8 (0-1)
Soccer
- Boys: 0-7 (0-1)
- Girls: 1-4 (1-1)
HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE
Baseball: 11-5
Softball: 12-1-1 (1-0)
Soccer
- Boys: 3-6-1 (0-2)
- Girls: 5-2-0 (1-1)
LEEDS
Baseball: 9-3 (4-1)
Softball: 10-4 (1-0)
Soccer
- Boys: 7-1-0 (4-0)
- Girls: 2-3-0 (2-0)
MOODY
Baseball: 3-10 (0-0)
Softball: 5-2-1 (1-0)
Soccer
- Boys: 2-3-1 (0-1)
- Girls: 4-2 (0-1)
PINSON VALLEY
Baseball: 7-8 (0-0)
Softball: 9-7 (1-1)
Soccer
- Boys: 5-8-0 (1-1)
- Girls: 3-4-0 (1-1)
SPRINGVILLE
Baseball: 5-11 (1-0)
Softball: 7-2 (0-1)
Soccer
- Boys: 4-3-0 (1-1)
- Girls: 7-2-1 (3-0)