Florida's Lauren Haeger adds sunflower to tattoo to honor Heather Braswell

Since there's no bigger stage in the sport of softball than starring in the Women's College World Series for the defending national champions, you could be forgiven for forgetting that Florida legend Lauren Haeger has continued her career in the sport, playing with the Dallas Charge of the National Pro Fastpitch Softball.

Haeger herself might not mind you forgetting about her 2015 season: After dominating the collegiate ranks and carrying the Gators to their second straight title, she hit just .201 with the Charge in their inaugural season, and was lit up on the mound, allowing 15 home runs and cobbling together a 3.07 ERA and a 6-7 record.

But Haeger will not forget Heather Braswell, the girl whose fight with cancer brought her into the Florida family in 2009, and whose symbolic sunflower stayed quite literally on the Gators' minds in 2014 and again in 2015 after her passing in March 2014. Monday night, she took to Instagram to post some fresh ink — of a sunflower.

Never got to post this but I added a very special sunflower to my tattoo. This sunflower represents so many things that are so important to me... My family in Florida softball, a very special friend named Heather Braswell, and a representation and awareness of childhood cancer. Just remember why you play the game everyone and step back and realize it's probably for something bigger than just yourself. Wether it's for a love for something that has brought you so many life long friendships, or for a dad that spent all his extra hours on a bucket for you... Just remember there is always something to play for. I play for Heather and every child out there battling for their lives. It's September ya'll raise some awareness and donate to @stjude whenever you can. I miss my friend so so much fly high beautiful girl!!! #childhoodcancerawareness #stjude #showyourgold

A photo posted by Lauren Haeger (@lhaegs17) on Sep 7, 2015 at 10:15pm PDT

Haeger added this caption:

Never got to post this but I added a very special sunflower to my tattoo. This sunflower represents so many things that are so important to me... My family in Florida softball, a very special friend named Heather Braswell, and a representation and awareness of childhood cancer. Just remember why you play the game everyone and step back and realize it's probably for something bigger than just yourself. Wether it's for a love for something that has brought you so many life long friendships, or for a dad that spent all his extra hours on a bucket for you... Just remember there is always something to play for. I play for Heather and every child out there battling for their lives. It's September ya'll raise some awareness and donate to @stjude whenever you can. I miss my friend so so much fly high beautiful girl!!!

September, as Haeger alludes to, is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For more on how you can help, visit stjude.org.