Kavan, standing tall at 6 feet and hailing from West Des Moines, Iowa, pitched seven strong innings on Saturday(May 30), holding the four-time defending NCAA champions to just two runs while striking out eight batters.
Her effort powered Texas to a hard-fought 4-2 win, breaking a historic barrier for the Longhorns in the intense rivalry with the Sooners.
Kavan’s grandmother
But behind the stats and the historic win was a story of resilience and love. Kavan’s grandmother, who passed away Saturday morning at age 97, was not just a family figure but a pillar of support throughout Kavan’s softball journey.
Wearing jersey No. 17 in her grandmother’s honor, a nod to her birthdate, November 17, 1928, Kavan said her grandmother never missed a game, even if nervousness sometimes forced her to watch replays later.
“Softball is her favorite part of most days,” Kavan shared. “Her love and support for me knows no bounds.”
In an emotional postgame interview with ESPN, Kavan reflected on how her grandmother’s spirit stayed with her on the mound. “My grandma, she’s got the best seat in the house,” Kavan said. “This is where she wants me. She’s rooting for us all the way. This is where she wants us.”
“Through her, my teammates, they all have my back. All 21, 22 of us, they all have my back. It was all for her. It was beyond me, honestly. Just relying on them, looking at them in the eyes and getting confidence from them.”
Rise of Teagan Kavan
Kavan’s impressive season continues to soar, as she now holds a 26-5 record, with a 2.40 ERA and 221 strikeouts, the best among Texas pitchers this year.
Recognized as a second-team All-American by Softball America, D1Softball, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, she has quickly established herself as the ace of a team poised to be one of just two undefeated squads remaining in the WCWS by the end of May 31.
For Texas softball, this win marks a milestone in their rivalry with Oklahoma, a team that has dominated women’s college softball with four consecutive NCAA titles.
