My idea of sportsmanship and softball came from 3,066.97 miles away from where I practice and play in Concord, New Hampshire. And this remarkable action, in Portland, Oregon, didn’t change the meaning for sportsmanship to me but perfected it.

Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University walloped the hit of her career. It was an over-the-fence homerun which would send Sara gleaming around the bases, or she hoped. After attempting to re-tag first base, Sara collapsed and instantly fell to the ground clutching her right knee in agony. Immediately Sara was immobile with a knee injury and could not stand on that leg. The rules in softball state that if the runner, in this case Sara, is touched by another teammate, coach or medical staff she would be considered out.

Confusion and sadness echoed the stadium as the fans watched Sara endure tremendous pain. Tears began to form and worried faces spread to the supporters of not only Western Oregon fans but Central Washington fans as well. The tears quickly turned into tears of joy as the efforts of Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace silenced the crowd. First baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace picked Sarah up and carried her to each of the four bases allowing her to complete her well deserved first career homerun.