Texas softball took notes on what they didn’t do in Game 1 of the Austin Super Regional and they returned to form in Game 2 to even the series against Arizona State.
But it took pitcher Teagan Kavan (24-5, 2.47 ERA) a little bit more time to settle in.
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The ace started all three games but only finished one. Kavan was relieved in the fifth inning Friday after allowing three runs on two walks and four hits. She returned for Game 2 Saturday, gibing up two hits and two runs through two innings.
With the game — and season — on the line Sunday for the Longhorns, Kavan pitched a complete game, and Texas earned a spot in the Women’s College World Series on the 5-0 win. Through seven innings she didn’t allow a run on five hits and had five strikeouts.
MORE: How pinch-hitter Victoria Hunter saved Texas softball’s season
MORE: Who will Texas Longhorns play first in Women’s College World Series?
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Kavan said she was motivated going into this game after not showing her best the previous outings.
“Just staying in it mentally longer; longer than I did in the games before,” Kavan said Sunday.
Head coach Mike White said he believed in Kavan Sunday morning after wrestling who to start: freshman Hannah Wells or Kavan.
“I thought she was the one with the experience and the mindset to be able to do the job for us and she didn’t disappoint,” White said.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) talks to catcher Reese Atwood (14) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns and Arizona State line up for the National Anthem ahead of the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) catches the ball for an out during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) celebrates a score by infielder Jaycie Nichols during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) steps up to throw a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) throws the ball to the infield during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns hudle in the circle during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) grabs a ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) catches a fly ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) celebrates a hit for a single during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrates a strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) celebrates a hit for a single during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) hits a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) grabs a ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) celebrates a catch for an out by Kaiah Altmeyer (44) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) slides home for a score during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) misses a catch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) throws the ball to first during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) celebrates a strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) celebrates a walk during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) catches the ball at first during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) grabs a ground ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) bunts the ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) swings at a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) rounds third after a hit during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) slides to third after a hit during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) celebrates a hit for a triple during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State pitcher Kenzie Brown (10) leaves the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns fans cheer during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State head coach Megan Bartlett disputes a call during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) throws the ball to first during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) hits a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) misses a catch behind home plate during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) and catcher Reese Atwood (14) celebrate after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14), pitcher Teagan Kavan (17), infielder Katie Stewart (20) and infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrate after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) puts on a super regional championship hat after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) holds up the ticket to the Women’s College World Series after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) holds the super regional championship trophy after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) holds up the super regional championship trophy after winning the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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Teagan Kavan fights back
The end of the SEC slate didn’t go the way Texas wanted after lost its final series to Arkansas.
But the Longhorns bounced back in the conference tournament and Kavan helped lead the way throwing 24 strikeouts through 18⅔ innings, allowing just five runs. An early postseason test for Kavan came against Alabama in the SEC championship game.
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The Crimson Tide beat the Longhorns in the regular season. But Kavan came back, throwing 12 strikeouts and allowing one run.
“She has that ability to make the adjustments and fight against teams that have hit her well,” White said.
Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) throws the ball in the air during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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With Texas back in the Women’s College World Series, a confident, motivated Kavan will help the Longhorns as they push for a second straight title.
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Last year, Kavan ended the WCWS with 31⅔ consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. In Oklahoma City, she had four complete games, six wins and won Most Outstanding Player.
After winning the super regional series against Arizona State, the junior looks prepared for another run.
Kavan battled a fluid strikezone — at one point catcher Reese Atwood put her hands on her helmet in disbelief when she thought a Kavan strikeout was called a ball.
“Who cares? Next pitch, that’s the mindset always,” she said.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional final against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Austin.
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With two Sun Devils on and two outs in the second inning, Wells was warming up in the bullpen. But Kavan, a second team All-American, got out of the jam after a defensive conference in the circle.
“You’re looking at who can be the give us the best chance to win, and she’s that one for us,” White said.
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Kavan was motivated in Game 3 to bounce back after the first two games. The keys, in her estimation, were attacking the zone and “feeding her defense.” And Kavan showed her appreciation at times: In the second inning left fielder Kaiah Altmeyer leapt to catch a flyout on the warning track, screaming “let’s go” and receiving a point from the hurler
Texas opens its Women’s College World Series against Tennessee on Thursday.