Sportsmanship in the spotlight

'Ellen' show sends softballers to spa

Yakima Herald-Republic
Sportsmanship in the spotlight
Michael Rozman/Warner Brothers
(L-R) Liz Wallace, Mallory Holtman and Sara Tucholsky talk with talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
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From a softball diamond in Ellensburg to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to a swanky resort on the Gulf Coast, three college women are enjoying a fantastic finish to their athletic careers.

When Sara Tucholsky hit a home run in an April 26 game at Central Washington University, the Western Oregon University senior missed first base, and when she reversed field to go back and touch the bag, she collapsed with a painful knee injury.

On Wednesday's "Ellen" show, Tucholsky walked out on crutches, flanked by CWU players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, who carried her around to touch each base so her three-run homer would count. Central ended up losing the game, 4-2.

DeGeneres welcomed the three players with hugs and told them "this story is so inspirational. ... This is just a testament to how everyone should act."

Holtman, a senior and Player of the Year in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, told DeGeneres that helping Tucholsky "just seemed like the right thing to do."

To salute that selfless sportsmanship, the "Ellen" show is sending all three players on a trip to the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Florida.

-- Tim Kelly