It’s hard to believe that Texas softball pitcher Teagan Kavan is a sophomore — not just because she has quickly emerged as the Longhorns’ ace, but also because of the leader she has become.
“Teagan has grown a lot mentally,” junior catcher and Kavan’s best friend, Reese Atwood, said. “I love to learn from her in that area. … She’s definitely grown as a leader and on the field in her skill set.”
Kavan became a star after throwing a shutout in her Women’s College World Series debut, the first in program history. When Texas’ bullpen faltered, the West Des Moines, Iowa local was there to pick up the pieces, pitching the majority of the innings in the WCWS. Though the Longhorns ultimately fell to Oklahoma in the finals, the experience was invaluable.
“It was incredible,” Kavan said. “I think we had a lot to be proud of, obviously, a lot to learn. For me, especially my first year, (it was) everything I dreamed of. Obviously we came up short, but I think it fired us up for this year, and I think there’s no question in our mind that we’re capable.”
Highly touted out of playing travel ball for Iowa Premier Fastpitch, Kavan clearly met the sky-high expectations placed upon her, but admits her mental game struggled during her first year pitching in burnt orange and white. Beyond technique, she realized that a pitcher’s ability to stay calm and composed is her bread and butter.
“I realized after the end of last season that what was going to separate me even more from other players was not necessarily the physical skill, but the mental game, and making sure that I had that under control and to bring me out of tough moments,” Kavan said.
In the offseason, Kavan began working with mental strength coaches to come up with strategies to reframe pressure into excitement. One of those strategies, adopted team-wide, is breathwork, helping her stay centered and present through every pitch.
Armed with a lethal rise ball and her growing ability to mix speeds, Kavan’s arm produces a deadly combination. When a hitter thinks they are starting to adjust, Kavan knows when to throw a change-up or a drop-ball, throwing off their timing completely.
“She can throw every pitch in every plane,” Missouri head coach Larissa Anderson said of Kavan. “What (is) so effective with her is her rise ball and her drop ball tunnel are the same … it makes it really difficult to be able to square her up.”
The growth in Kavan’s technique is showing in the first half of the season, making up for any lack of depth or instability in the bullpen. Pitching 111.1 innings thus far, she has thrown 156 strikeouts, has an earned-run-average of 1.51, allowing just 30 runs.
Beyond any numbers or stats, Kavan believes that her strength is drawn from the relationships she has with her teammates.
“I think this team seems more tight-knit, we seem a lot closer,” Kavan said. “This is all the place we want to be, and we have fun every day here. (I’m) just excited to have fun with my best friends.”
