Into the Fire: Life lessons lead Lions baseball players in act of heroism

HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana baseball head coach Matt Riser expects his players to be strong leaders on and off the field.

“The young men we recruit have to not only be good players, but even better people,” Riser said.

That’s why he focuses the Lions’ training not just on the art of the game, but on what it means to be involved in your community, to help others and to show courage.

It is the basis of the program’s mission statement: As members of the Southeastern Baseball program, we commit to excellence in the classroom, in the community and in competition. We do this by having a mental toughness that enables us to be consistent, confident, focused and determined during high-pressure situations in order to perform at maximum potential.

Last week, Trey Morgan (St. Francisville, Louisiana), Evan Pace (Zachary, Louisiana) and Kyle Schimpf (Covington, Louisiana) showed what it means to be leaders not only off the field, but in another country.

The three players were among a group of five who ran down a rain-slicked embankment toward a burning car in the Canadian province of British Columbia, focused only on making sure anyone inside got out safely.

Their actions saved the life of Linda Jack, a resident of Kelowna, British Columbia, who was involved in a one-car accident when her vehicle skidded in the rain and slid down the embankment, immediately filling with smoke as it caught fire on impact.

“I’m extremely proud of them for handling the situation the way they did,” Riser said. “I’m not surprised. They show these type of leadership skills on a daily basis. They know what’s right and in that moment reacted with a sense of urgency.”

Jack had never met the men who saved her, a group of four players and the head coach of the Port Angeles (Wash.) Lefties of the West Coast League.

And if things had gone as expected, they never would have met – the trio of Southeastern players, who are playing with the team for the summer, their teammate Ronnie Rust and head coach, Darren Westergard, only passed by because they missed their exit and were hurrying to get to their game in Kelowna on time.

Pace and Westergard noticed the fiery car and stopped immediately, waking the other three players, who were napping in the backseats. All five immediately sprang into action.

“The car was covered in smoke,” Pace said. “We couldn’t tell if there was anyone in it, but you could smell it starting to burn. My first reaction wasn’t thinking about all the smoke or how dangerous it could be, it was about getting people out.”

Pace was the first to the car and, with the help of his coach, helped Jack out of the vehicle and carried her up the embankment.

“I didn’t realize what was going on until I got out of the vehicle,” Morgan said. “Pace and Coach jumped out and said follow them. Your thoughts head to how many people are there, looking on the floorboard or nearby, and how to get them out without injuring them. There was smoke everywhere as the car started to catch on fire. She was in shock, just kind of sitting in the car and not moving.”

Morgan, Schimpf and Rust helped pull Jack’s luggage and belongings from the smoldering vehicle.

“The thought process wasn’t about the car exploding or catching on fire,” Schimpf said. “It was helping get her out of the car and getting my teammates out of the way. The thought of my safety never crossed my mind. It all happened so fast. When we were standing off to the side is when it all sank in.”

Within minutes of helping Jack up the slippery terrain, the car was ablaze and a total loss. The players drove Jack, who suffered only minor injuries, back to her home. During the drive, they picked up a new fan. Jack told the men she’d always been a fan of the Kelowna team (the Lefties’ scheduled opponent). But, after this, she will be rooting for them.

Then, they drove straight to the field because, after all, they still had a game to play.

“There are three ways to respond in moments like these: Freeze, flight, or fight,” Riser said in a text message to his players within days of the rescue. “Y’all responded with action and didn’t worry with putting yourselves in harm’s way to help someone else. To act in that manner tells you about who you are because you cannot script everything life throws at you.”

Riser’s text congratulated the players for representing Southeastern and the Lions baseball program well, but, more importantly, “for reassuring yourself of who you really are.”

“Now go have fun playing some ball,” Riser quipped as his sign-off.

While he was surprised to hear the circumstances, Riser wasn’t at all surprised by his players’ actions. He was quick to praise not just his players’ leadership lessons, but their upbringing for their heroism.

“Their parents have done a great job of bringing them up to be selfless, and when they see someone in need, they are not concerned with their own well-being,” Riser said.

For the players, it simply came down to living out the leadership lessons Riser has instilled in them during their time at Southeastern.

“You’re not worried about yourself in that situation,” Morgan said. “You’re not hurt, and other people are in danger. Everybody there went head first into the car.”

The way Riser has built the family reputation has led all the players to help the community, Schimpf said. “It instills pride in you,” he said of Riser’s leadership training. “That you want to help out, not let anyone down.”

For Pace, it’s all about paying it forward.

“I had three older brothers who would help me no matter what,” he said. “In high school and at Southeastern, there are 35 others who have my back. It’s not a burning car, but a burning desire to help.”

DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.

All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.