It was a beautiful ceremony that no one would ever have wanted to attend.
But a large crowd was on hand at Blazer Field Thursday afternoon to honor University Heights Academy Middle School baseball player Hensley Hunt.
The Blazers’ sixth grader passed away unexpectedly last fall after a short illness. UHA Middle School Baseball coach Tyler Perry said the impact of Hunt’s passing is still being felt by not only the team, but the school.
Hunt’s younger brother, Holten, threw out the first pitch to older brother Hayden Hunt, as UHA supporters, the team, and the Hunt family watched on Thursday.
Perry said the team still has its good and bad days as they try to understand the loss of Hunt. But he has seen the team has come together after the loss.
Hensley Hunt played middle infield and pitched for the Blazers last season. He was quickly becoming one of the top prospects in the state in his age group, according to Perry.
The Blazers honored Hunt on Thursday by leaving the shortstop position empty on the first pitch of the game against Henderson County.
Hunt’s memory will stay with the UHA baseball family. A large donation in Hensley’s honor helped purchase a new scoreboard in left field with Hunt’s name on it.
Hensley Hunt also was a soccer and basketball star for the Blazers’ middle school teams.
