Close Leistl Sisters Happy to Stick Together With USF Softball
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, MAY 1, 2020 –
Brooke and
Bailee Leistl are sticking together, no matter what.
Right now, that requires the close sisters staying safe at their Bay area home in Valrico during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once it's all good to go back to campus, both Bulls will be delighted to return to doing what they love as USF softball teammates.
"I always know I have that one person I can lean on," Brooke said. "It's cool to look and see her at the field. It feels like home to me. It's always felt like home, but literally a piece of my home is now with me at all times."
This past season marked a very rejoiceful softball reunion for Brooke, a 21-year-old redshirt junior, and 19-year-old freshman Bailee, who was nicknamed "Buster" back in high school by her big sister.
"I've looked up to Brooke my whole life," Bailee said. "I think it's cool that I get to play with my role model, a person who I think is a big part of why I'm here today."
The path to playing for their hometown college team started years ago as kids who got going in the bat-and-ball game at Bloomingdale Little League. Both natural righties ended up becoming left-handed slap hitters who excelled for Newsome High School.
"My dad, I think he tried to clone us to be the same type of person," Brooke joked.
It certainly appeared that way in the field back in 2016, when prep senior Brooke patrolled center field and Bailee, a freshman then, was a lockdown right fielder.
"People even say we look alike in the field," Bailee said. "Our mannerisms are the same."
At the plate, Brooke was Newsome High's leadoff hitter who eventually followed Bailee, the No. 9 hitter, once the offense got rolling. When Brooke graduated, Bailee stepped up and set the tone at the top of the order.
"Our athletic director texted us the (earlier this spring) and was like, 'It was so weird going to the game for the first time in seven years and a Leistl not being a leadoff,'" Brooke said with a laugh.
Fittingly, both sisters now play the same position – left field – and both made notable contributions during the shortened 2020 season that saw the surging Bulls (16-9) win 16 of their final 19 games.
Starting 22 of 23 games she played in, Brooke batted .318, finished second on the team in hits (21), stole six bases and scored six runs. She was named to The American's weekly honor roll after going 10-for-14 in five games at the USF Tournament (March 6-8).
"Having the starting role, being in left field and just contributing throughout the lineup is so surreal to me," she said. "It's awesome to contribute to my team."
Bailee was super excited to make an instant impact as a true freshman who played in 16 games. Logging three of her six starts in left field, she scored four runs and went 5-for-20 at the plate.
Both sisters shared a special moment after Bailee recorded her first career hit in a win over FIU on Feb. 21.
"We push each other, but we're also happy for each other. I hear Brooke all the time cheering for me," Bailee said. "That just shows how close we are and how happy we are for each other."
Hopefully soon, the Leistl sisters will be able to head back to the campus they first went to years ago for softball camps as aspiring players.
"This was like our home school," Bailee said.
Once next season rolls around, "home" games will include their usual family cheering section that includes both of their parents, Bud and Miki, along with their grandparents and other family members from Tampa.
"We have from three to 12 sometimes," Brooke said.
Until then, the Leistl sisters are staying safe at home in the Bay area and remaining thankful for more time together with their second family – USF softball.
"This is what I've worked for my whole life," Bailee said. "Now that I'm getting an opportunity, it's like living my dream with my best friend by my side. It's pretty cool."
More Fun Leistl Sister Facts
- SAME BUT DIFFERENT: They might play the same position and have outgoing personalities, but the Leistl sisters insist they're "polar opposite" people. "Brooke is more like the stay inside, watch a movie. I just want to go do something," Bailee said. "She's funny on the spot. She has jokes," Brooke added. "I just have funny comments."
- MORE ABOUT BUSTER: Brooke said she still has "no clue" why she started calling her younger sister, Bailee, "Buster," but it's caught on big-time with the USF softball team. "No one ever called her it throughout high school, but everyone calls her that (now)," Brooke said. "Coach Jess (Moore) has jumped on the train. All the outfielders. It's hilarious."
- SOFTBALL STUCK AS THE SPORT: Before getting into softball, Brooke was a talented soccer player who also tried out basketball as a young kid. "I was like, 'You know what, I'll give softball a shot,'" she said. "They put me in T-ball and I literally never looked back." Bailee also started as a soccer player, and a dancer, prior to softball sticking as a favorite activity. "I just followed in (Brooke's) footsteps and never looked back," she said.
About USF Softball
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The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
