When Central Washington University softball players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace helped an injured opponent around the softball field during an April 26 home game, they never dreamed such a simple gesture would become national news.

But their selfless act has gotten significant national attention, with several news outlets, including the New York Times and ESPN, covering the heartwarming story.

On Thursday morning, Fox News, ABC and CBS will interview them, along with CWU softball coach, Gary Frederick. Their story is slated to air on Thursday’s “Good Morning America” and “The Early Show.”

“We are definitely surprised by the response,” said Holtman, a 22-year-old Wildcat first baseman majoring in business. “I think it’s exciting we’ve gotten so much great attention. It’s good for softball and for Central.”

During the game, Western Oregon University outfielder Sara Tucholsky hit her first-ever, college-career home run. Distracted and surprised by her accomplishment, Tucholsky missed first base as she ran past it. She turned around to tag the base, but her knee gave out, sending her to the ground with a painful injury. It was later determined to likely be a torn ACL.

As Oregon’s coach, Pam Knox, was about to send in a pinch runner, Holtman spoke up, asking if she could carry Tucholsky around the field. Umpires conversed and decided that yes, it would be allowable. So Holtman and Wallace, locking their hands under Tucholsky, gently lifted and carried her from base to base, allowing her to tap each base with her left foot. The three players exchanged giggles as they made it around the field.

“We didn’t even know that while we were carrying her around the bases, people in the stands were crying,” Holtman said. “We just thought it was the right thing to do.”

That sportsmanlike, and most importantly, humanitarian spirit, has caught the attention of the nation – much to everyone’s surprise.