FLEMING ISLAND - Most said he was a quiet guy in the dugout, but passionate about his Fleming Island High baseball teammates, and always the encouraging voice.

"This has been a great night for us to see how much Aaron was loved," said Beth Kenney, who was with siblings of 20-year-old Aaron Hawkins. Her son was tragically killed in a two-car collision in Ponte Vedra Beach. "It's been amazing with the community showing support and the baseball program and players from other teams showing up to say nice things about Aaron."

Kenney said there were stories told about Aaron where she felt the love from the team and the fans.

"Coach Mike Martino (Fleming Island baseball coach) said a lot of nice things."

When asked about watching her son play baseball for nearly a decade, Kenney revealed that, off the mound, her son was kind of a nervous kid.

"He was a little fidgety before a game and kind of nervous until he got to the game," Kenney said. "Then, he locked in and became a fierce and passionate competitor."

Kenney remembered that the most memorable moment for her watching Aaron was his last pitch of baseball before college.

"He had an 88 mph fastball to strike out his very last batter that he would eventually face in his high school career," Kenney said. "He went to Edward Waters University, but when he got to the point of deciding to play college ball, he chose not to. He said it was a lot of work to be a college player."

Kenney said Aaron's little sister, Lana, was missing her big brother the most.

"I have like a thousand pictures of him after a game picking her up and walking around with her," Kenney said. "He was so intense on the field, and even grunted when he threw his pitches. But when he was done, he was so laid back and mellow and quiet. One coach said he had Aaron for five years and only heard him speak like once or twice."