Teagan Kavan tears up postgame after dominant performance vs. OU following death of grandmother

Teagan Kavan put together a heroic performance on Saturday for the Texas Longhorns, helping them get the program’s first-ever win against Oklahoma in the Women’s College World Series. She pitched all seven innings, slamming to door shut with a two-run lead and two on to close the game. Turns out, Kavan had a little more than softball on her mind.

Kavan learned of her grandmother’s passing on Saturday morning, someone who was a massive supporter. She is even the reason Kavan wears No. 17. During a postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Kavan explained why this was a special one.

“My grandma, she’s got the best seat in the house,” Kavan said. “This is where she wants me. She is rooting for us all the way. This is where she wants us.”

"My grandma, she's got the best seat in the house, and this is where she wants me. She's rooting for us all the way."

Teagan Kavan honored her late grandmother after eliminating Oklahoma from the WCWS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/T14EqnGmkW

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 31, 2025

Of the 129 pitches Kavan threw, 89 of them wound up strikes. Oklahoma put up two runs in the second inning but was held scoreless otherwise. Kavan’s final line finished 7.0 IP, two runs, one earned run, two walks, and eight strikeouts. An incredible outing for her in the biggest Texas game of the season thus far.

Rowe then asked how Kavan was able to come out and pitch, let alone one of the greatest performances of her career. She handed out credit to her Texas teammates, helping her get through a difficult day for the entire family.

“Through her, my teammates, they all have my back,” Kavan said. “All 21, 22 of us. They all have my back, my coaches. It was all for her, it was beyond me, actually. Just relying on them. Looking them in the eyes and getting confidence from them.”

From a team perspective, Kavan just gave Texas a massive boost. They are now just one win away from the Women’s College World Series championship game. One of Oklahoma or Tennessee will be next up, needing to get one win before two losses against them. Still a tough task at hand but quite an easier one compared to the situation the Sooners or Lady Vols are in.

This one was about more than helping Texas advance, though. Kavan’s emotions were clear after putting together a spectacular outing against Oklahoma. Based on her words, there would be no other place Kavan’s grandmother would be either. In the circle for the Longhorns in the biggest stage college softball has to offer in Oklahoma City.