Teagan Kavan, Texas hope to ace test vs. Oklahoma State

Texas softball pitcher Teagan Kavan showed up at Tuesday’s practice with an ice bag on her right arm.

But no worries. The Longhorns’ freshman phenom had donated blood earlier in the day and was using the ice to prevent any swelling or soreness. She’ll be good to go in a massive Big 12 series between No. 2 Texas and No. 8 Oklahoma State that begins Thursday in Stillwater, Okla.

The ice bag seemed a fitting accessory for Kavan, a young fireballer who pitches with preternatural poise, said Texas coach Mike White.

“She has ice blood running through her veins,” White said. “I think that we always knew that she was composed, (but) she really doesn’t let anything rattle her. She’s composed, she’s thoughtful, and she’s analytical. But she showed some emotion over the weekend, and that was nice to see.”

Those emotions boiled to the surface in Sunday’s thrilling 3-1 win over Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. The Knights loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fifth frame and had dangerous pinch-hitter Savannah Adams at the plate. White turned to Kavan, who promptly struck out a swinging Adams. The normally stoic Kavan pumped her fist and exchanged a highfive with catcher Reese Atwood after the inning before retiring the sides in both the sixth and seventh to secure the win.

Kavan has certainly been in control this season for Texas. The 6-foot Iowa native, who focused on travel ball and competing for the U.S. youth national program instead of high school competition, has emerged as the workhorse on a deep pitching staff for the secondranked Longhorns. She leads the team with 66 innings pitched, 16 appearance, 12 starts, 11 wins and five complete games.

And Kavan (11-1, 1.59 ERA, 68 strikeouts) ranks among the top freshman pitchers in the nation.

A blistering riseball and lots of movement have helped her rack up those impressive numbers. But, said senior outfielder Bella Dayton, it’s Kavan’s steady approach in the circle that matters as much as her wicked stuff.

“Even if she is nervous, you can’t tell,” Dayton said. “I feel like for someone to have that kind of calmness, it helps the whole team hold their composure together and get through tough situations.”

PROVIDED BY TEXAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan, left, celebrates with catcher Reese Atwood during the Longhorns’ 9-2 win over Stanford on Feb. 16 in a Clearwater, Fla., tournament. Kavan, a freshman, has become the Longhorns’ top pitcher and leads the team in innings pitched, wins, appearances, starts and complete games.