How athletes respond to unusual game situations often says something about their character. This certainly was true in a recent college softball game in the Pacific Northwest.

Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University hit a home run over the center-field fence against Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. It was her first, according to USA Today.

However, she missed first base and when she turned back to tag it, injured her knee. She managed to crawl back to first, but could do no more due to her injury.

There were two apparent options. Her first-base coach said that she would be called out if her teammates assisted her around the bases. The umpire suggested that a pinch runner could replace her at first, but the home run would count only as a single.

That was when two of Ms. Tucholsky's opponents, Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace, offered to carry the injured player around the bases. The umpire said there was no rule against it.

So the two Central Washington players put their arms underneath their injured rival's legs and she placed her arms around their shoulders. Thus they carried her to each base so she could gingerly touch it with her uninjured leg. The home run was recorded in the scorebook and helped Western Oregon win the game 4-2, eliminating Central Washington's chances to win the conference and advance to the playoffs.

When the three players made it to home plate, the Western Oregon team was in tears. Central Washington coach Gary Frederick called the act of sportsmanship "unbelievable." Ms. Tucholsky's injury, probably a torn ligament, is expected to sideline her for the rest of her senior season.

Ms. Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, said: "In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much. It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run."

This remarkable display of sportsmanship should be well noted throughout the country.