The Women's College World Series saw a rematch from last year's championship series on Saturday, with four-time defending champion Oklahoma taking on last year's runner-up, Texas. This time, the Longhorns came out on top, headlined by an emotional performance from their ace.
Teagan Kavan pitched a complete game on Saturday, allowing just two runs as Texas beat the Sooners 4-2. It was the Longhorns' first win vs. their archrival in the WCWS (5-0), first win vs. OU this season, and their first win vs. OU in the state of Oklahoma since 2014. Overall, Texas is 48-13 all-time vs. Texas.
While Texas is used to these Kavan performances, this one was extra special, as Kavan recently learned that her grandmother passed away.
With the win, Texas moves on to the semifinals, while Oklahoma's loss puts them in the loser's bracket, but Kavan's impressive performance was the story of the game. Here's what happened.
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Teagan Kavan vs. Oklahoma
Only hours before Texas and Oklahoma began their game on Saturday, Tegan Kavan learned that her grandmother passed away.
"She's got the best seat in the house, and this is where she wants me," Kavan said in an emotional interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe "She's rooting for us all the way and this is where she wants us."
The Texas ace credited her teammates and coaches with helping her get through the day.
"They all had my back," she said. "It was all for her, it was beyond me, honestly."
all heart from @teagan_kavan 🤘#HookEm | @NCAASoftball pic.twitter.com/0ir1ghqfiu
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 31, 2025
Kavan ended the game with a complete game seven innings pitched, allowing just two runs on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. She entered the game with a 2.46 ERA on the season in 38 appearances with 15 complete games.
Additionally, Kavan's teammates expressed their pride in the Longhorns ace's performance.
"She told us and the first thing she said was she's good and she's ready to go today," Joley Mitchell said. "Teagan Kavan is my hero today."
An emotional Joley Mitchell postgame: "Teagan Kavan is my hero today."
— Noah Gross (@noah_gross27) May 31, 2025
Q from @ThomasJonesAAS #HookEm | @KXAN_News | #Texas https://t.co/MPfAYJOlkQ pic.twitter.com/A3NSs4L49L
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Teagan Kavan number
Kavan said that the reason she wears the No. 17 on the field is for her grandmother, who was born on November 17, 1928.
"I wear 17 for my grandma," she said earlier this month. "Though many miles separate us, she's with me every pitch. She doesn't miss a game...I honor her, her love for the game, and her love for life itself."
1️⃣7️⃣
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) May 13, 2025
learn the story behind why Teagan Kavan reps her number for @TexasSoftball 🤘#HookEm | @DICKS pic.twitter.com/ldQmwpXrBs
Who does Texas softball play next?
With the win, Texas will next play Tennessee, Texas Tech or UCLA on Monday, June 2.