Sara Tucholsky is a senior at Western Oregon University. She was in the batter's box for her team in their conference playoffs against Central Washington University. WOU was down by a score of 2-1, but two runners were on base. With one strike against her, the pitch comes in and Sara takes her best swing. The ball goes backbackbackback - way back - and gone! A home run that actually cleared the centerfield fence.
It was Sara's first home run. Ever. In her whole life. And it put her team ahead, 4-2.
In her excitement as she began rounding the bases, she missed tagging first base, but as she turned to go back, her knee buckled under her, tearing a ligament. She cried out in pain, and could barely crawl back to first base.
Now the coach has a dilemma. If any teammate touches her to help her make it around the bases, she's declared out. If the coach puts a pinch runner in for her, the home run is officially changed to a single.
That's when Mallory Holtman - the first baseman (basewoman?) - for Central Washington asked the umpire if her team could help Sara. The umpire couldn't find any rules against it, so Mallory and shortstop Liz Wallace linked arms and carried Sara around the rest of the bases, pausing at each one so she could step on the base with her good leg.
There wasn't a dry eye in the park when she reached home plate.
They didn't know it was the only home run that Sara had ever hit, or ever will hit (she's a graduating senior), but they did know losing the game would knock them out of the playoffs.
They did it, anyway.
Just goes to prove it's what we do for others that makes the really good memories.
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