Cherokee High hall of famer Pattie Ruth Taylor ‘hooks’ second national title as softball coach at Texas

A Russellville, Tennessee native can lay claim to back to back NCAA Women’s Softball national championships and coaching one of the top pitchers in the sport.

University of Texas softball assistant Pattie Ruth Taylor from Hamblen County has two titles in her first three years in Austin.

Under Taylor’s direction, Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan became the first ace in NCAA history to win the Women’s College World Series’ Most Outstanding Player award twice after the Longhorns’ win over Texas Tech Thursday night, sweeping the series.

Taylor was a two-time all conference pitcher at Cherokee High School in Hawkins County and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2024.

(IMAGE: Property of University of Texas Athletics)