Teagan Kavan recalls emotional WCWS journey after grandmother's death: 'We did that for her'

On May 31, Teagan Kavan helped lead Texas to a victory over Oklahoma in its second game of the Women’s College World Series. She did so with a heavy heart – she lost her grandmother hours before the game started.

Kavan’s grandmother passed away that morning at age 97, and the Longhorns star delivered a huge performance. She threw a complete game, allowing just two unearned runs and recording eight strikeouts as Texas got the 4-2 victory to send the four-time defending champion Sooners to the losers’ bracket.

That game was part of an impressive run from Texas, which made a run to the WCWS finals against rival Texas Tech. Kavan got the start in a decisive Game 3 on Friday and once again led the Longhorns to not only a victory, but also their first national title in program history.

Throughout the week in Oklahoma City, Kavan said her grandmother was with her, and she leaned on her teammates through support. After putting the finishing touches on Friday’s win, the sophomore standout recalled an emotional moment her grandmother shared with her brother – and how she delivered on that message.

“It means the world,” Kavan told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “I’m so happy for this team. We did it. First natty. Let’s go.

“My grandma, the last thing she told my brother, one of the last things was to bring home a victory. We did that for her.”

Kavan briefly entered Thursday’s Game 2 against Texas Tech, which the Red Raiders held on to win, 4-3. Coming off that loss while also still grieving her grandmother’s death meant emotions were high on Friday at Devon Park.

But Kavan pulled through, and her efforts played a key role in the victory. Asked how she found the best version of herself, the answer was simple.

“Through my teammates,” Kavan said. “It’s all to them.”

Teagan Kavan is the latest in an impressive line of pitchers at Texas. Names such as Cat Osterman and Blaire Luna stood in that circle, but neither were quite able to bring home the big one: a national championship.

Friday night, it was Kavan who sealed Texas’ first-ever title – doing so against a rival, no less. She reiterated how much it means for the program to finally bring that trophy back to Austin, as well as giving Mike White his first championship as a head coach.

But she knows Osterman, Luna and others helped lay the foundation for the program. Kavan made sure to point that out before celebrating with her teammates.

“It means the world to get it done for the university, for the state and for all my teammates and coaches,” Kavan said. “But they paved the way. It all started with them.”