The tragic death of a former Gilbert High School baseball player over the weekend left head coach Ashley Burnett in disbelief. 

Hudson Schirra, a 19-year-old from Lexington, died overnight Saturday, Oct. 21, after being struck by a vehicle while trying to cross the intersection of Blossom and Bull Street on the University of South Carolina campus, Columbia Police and the Richland County Coroner’s Office confirmed.

Columbia Police reported that Schirra is believed to have been crossing the street illegally when he was hit.

“I was certainly in disbelief and then tremendous sorrow,” Burnett said. “Not only for his parents, his teammates and his family but, just because another young life that's taken away that doesn't get a chance to live his future. I know his future would've been bright.”

Schirra was a senior on the Gilbert baseball team last season. Burnett said Schirra cheered on his squad both on and off the field.

“When he was in the game, he played very, very hard,” Burnett said. “When he wasn't in the game, he was the biggest cheerleader for the team.”

Despite being a senior, Schirra took time to help train the seventh and eighth graders on the Gilbert Middle School team. 

“He was well-liked and well-thought-of. Not just as a baseball player, but as a human being,” Burnett said.

Burnett said the tragedy has affected the entire Gilbert community. 

“Any time that you have a young person whose life is taken, it certainly hits hard,” Burnett said. “Whether they were involved in athletics or not, it’s the entire community.”

Schirra took pride in being a Gilbert Indian, according to his obituary. 

Per his LinkedIn page, Schirra was enrolled at Midlands Technical College.

“Hudson lived his life to the fullest,” the obituary states. “He brought laughter and joy to everyone who knew him. His beautiful smile was contagious, his laugh infectious, and he lit up every room with his exuberant personality. He was looking forward to becoming an electrician, but God had bigger plans for him. Hudson loved others well, cared for the unseen, and was intentional in his relationships. He had a God given ability to connect with others in a real way.”

A community gathering took place on Sunday at Radius Church to support the Schirra family. 

A celebration of Schirra’s life will be held at Radius Church on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 4:30 p.m. with a private family burial being held at a later date, according to his obituary.

Schirra’s legacy at Gilbert will live on. His obituary asks instead of flowers for contributions to be sent to the Gilbert baseball team. 

Burnett said the team will find a way to honor Schirra at some point, but things are too raw right now to begin planning.