A decade after softball player Sydney Steele cheered on her sister at the Women’s College World Series, her sister Haley is in the stands with an identical sign. (Courtesy Haley (Steele) Simons)
In 2012 and 2013, Sydney Steele was in the stands cheering on her sister, Haley Steele, while she competed for Arizona State University at the Women’s College World Series.
A decade later, Haley is cheering for her Sydney and her Stanford Cardinal teammates — using an identical homemade sign. The two sisters — both #32 — are eight years apart.
After losing its opening game to Oklahoma, Stanford fought back against elimination on Friday night against Alabama. Sydney delivered an RBI double in the second inning before scoring a solo home run in the seventh, leading Stanford to a 2-0 win over the Crimson.
Sydney credits Haley — who also scored a home run during the 2013 Women’s College World Series — with fueling her love of softball and inspiring her to reach this stage.
“Watching my sister play college ball, she’s my reason why I love softball. I grew up around it,” Sydney said after Stanford’s win on Friday. “My dream was always to come to the Women’s College World Series, just like she did, one day.”
Despite having competed at the WCWS herself, Haley is still in awe watching her sister.
“I’m my sister’s greatest supporter and to see her hard work pay off on the biggest stage in our sport is surreal,” she told Just Women’s Sports. “Sydney, her teammates, and coaches have most definitely earned their ticket to be here and I’d like to see Stanford get the job done this year. That’s my little sister and she came to compete!”
12 years ago, @sydsteele_32 cheered from the stands as her sister Haley homered at the #WCWS.
Today, the @StanfordSball senior got her own moment in OKC with her sister in the stands cheering her on. (With the same sign ❤️) pic.twitter.com/4z0Xz7x6Vn
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2023