Rusk senior Grace Young (center) smiles while holding flowers with her family during a surprise Senior Softball Night party on Wednesday, May 13. The seniors took the field for the last time to be honored as their season was cut short due to the coronavirus.

Traditional senior nights weren’t a thing for high school softball programs this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Normally, on the last home game of the season, teams will honor their seniors with a pregame presentation involving their families.

While there was no game and no fans in the stands, Rusk head softball coach Michael Williams did his best to create a senior night for his players on Wednesday night.

With designated time slots, the senior players walked on to the field with their families while their walkup music played. An announcer read each player’s accolades along with a letter that their parents wrote them, Williams said.

“It was emotional both for the girls and their families,” Williams said. “It meant a lot for me to see them enjoy that moment together one last time. They have spent many hours on that field, I wanted them to get one more moment on the field and provide a highlight through a tough time.”

Rusk has six seniors — Alanna Goldsberry, Lanie Ford, Kailee Millsap, Lauren Boudreaux, Jamyah Anderson and Grace Young.

“This group has been a culture changer for this program,” said Williams, who was in his first year as Rusk’s softball coach. “They molded this program and led by example, the way they handled themselves on the field and during practice.”

Goldberry pitched a perfect game in 2017 and was the district Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2019 and an All-District selection as a senior.

Ford was an All-District selection as a senior.

Millsap was a four-year letter winner in softball. She was a four-time Academic All-District selection and a three-time All-District catcher.

Boudreaux was a four-year letter winner in softball. She was a four-time Academic All-District selection. As a freshman, she was honorable mention All-District. As a sophomore, she was the Defensive Player of the Year in the district. As a junior, she was the district’s Offensive Player of the Year.

As a senior, she was an All-District shortstop and was selected to the FCA Heart of a Champion All-Star game. Boudreaux will play softball at Tyler Junior College.

Anderson was an All-District first baseman.

Young was a four-year starter for the Lady Eagles and played in 17 playoff games. She was a four-time All-District selection, a four-time Academic All-District pick and was the district’s Utility Player of the Year as a junior. As a sophomore, she was an All-State selection.