The Western Oregon softball team has turned its focus back to competition after a topsy-turvy week that began with a singular act of sportsmanship that has attracted national attention.
The Wolves, who play in Division II, opened a three-game showdown with Seattle on Thursday as they go after their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. Western Oregon has a shot at that crown in part because of a unique victory vs. Central Washington last Saturday.
In the second game of a doubleheader, WOU's Sara Tucholsky slammed what appeared to be a three-run homer over the centerfield fence, the senior's first in either high school or college. But Tucholsky wrenched her knee at first base and collapsed.
Umpires ruled that a pinch-runner could replace Tucholsky, but she would be credited with a single and only two runs would count. After being assured there was no rule against it, Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace carried Tucholsky around the bases, completing her homer and adding a run to a 4-2 loss that eliminated the Wildcats from postseason.
As word of the game spread, Tucholsky and Holtman have been featured on national television and radio, and written about in newspapers across the country.
"It has been magical and crazy at the same time," Tucholsky said Thursday. "I'm surprised at how many people have paid attention to this and how far the story has gone. But there are so many negative images of athletes now. Here is one with a positive image."
Holtman, who had the idea to assist Tucholsky, has also been caught off guard by the ripples.
"At the time, we never thought it would be that big a deal. It just seemed like something anyone would have done," Holtman said. "I've probably had 50 e-mails and text messages from people I've never met, thanking me. It's really cool that people have responded to this so positively."
Not all the responses have been pleasant. One person labeled Holtman a selfish player who did not consider her teammates. Tucholsky received an e-mail criticizing women's lack of competitive spirit.
"That really bothered me," said Tucholsky, who fears she has a torn ligament that will end her career. "We are very definitely competitive, but this was a situation were sportsmanship overrode our competitiveness."
Wolves' coach Pam Knox has tried to prepare her team for its championship push while putting Saturday's game in perspective.
"When it happened I knew it was the best moment in my coaching career," she said. "I started calling my friends and family and they cried when I told them the story. So I knew this was something bigger than just me being emotional.
"Some people are trying to say this is something men would never have done. I think that's an unfair statement. You would hope guys would have the character to do the right thing at the right time."
Knox gives Tucholsky major credit for serving as the lightning rod for all the reporters (she was up at 2:30 a.m. Thursday for a TV interview), allowing her teammates to focus on the Seattle series.
"I'm from a small town, and I'm actually pretty shy, so all this is strange to me," Tucholsky said. "But we have some big games to play. I don't want all this to distract from what our team is trying to do."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2008-05-01-softball-sportsmanship_N.htm
The Wolves, who play in Division II, opened a three-game showdown with Seattle on Thursday as they go after their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. Western Oregon has a shot at that crown in part because of a unique victory vs. Central Washington last Saturday.
In the second game of a doubleheader, WOU's Sara Tucholsky slammed what appeared to be a three-run homer over the centerfield fence, the senior's first in either high school or college. But Tucholsky wrenched her knee at first base and collapsed.
Umpires ruled that a pinch-runner could replace Tucholsky, but she would be credited with a single and only two runs would count. After being assured there was no rule against it, Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace carried Tucholsky around the bases, completing her homer and adding a run to a 4-2 loss that eliminated the Wildcats from postseason.
As word of the game spread, Tucholsky and Holtman have been featured on national television and radio, and written about in newspapers across the country.
"It has been magical and crazy at the same time," Tucholsky said Thursday. "I'm surprised at how many people have paid attention to this and how far the story has gone. But there are so many negative images of athletes now. Here is one with a positive image."
Holtman, who had the idea to assist Tucholsky, has also been caught off guard by the ripples.
"At the time, we never thought it would be that big a deal. It just seemed like something anyone would have done," Holtman said. "I've probably had 50 e-mails and text messages from people I've never met, thanking me. It's really cool that people have responded to this so positively."
Not all the responses have been pleasant. One person labeled Holtman a selfish player who did not consider her teammates. Tucholsky received an e-mail criticizing women's lack of competitive spirit.
"That really bothered me," said Tucholsky, who fears she has a torn ligament that will end her career. "We are very definitely competitive, but this was a situation were sportsmanship overrode our competitiveness."
Wolves' coach Pam Knox has tried to prepare her team for its championship push while putting Saturday's game in perspective.
"When it happened I knew it was the best moment in my coaching career," she said. "I started calling my friends and family and they cried when I told them the story. So I knew this was something bigger than just me being emotional.
"Some people are trying to say this is something men would never have done. I think that's an unfair statement. You would hope guys would have the character to do the right thing at the right time."
Knox gives Tucholsky major credit for serving as the lightning rod for all the reporters (she was up at 2:30 a.m. Thursday for a TV interview), allowing her teammates to focus on the Seattle series.
"I'm from a small town, and I'm actually pretty shy, so all this is strange to me," Tucholsky said. "But we have some big games to play. I don't want all this to distract from what our team is trying to do."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2008-05-01-softball-sportsmanship_N.htm
