Cat Osterman

Cat Osterman
Name	Cat Osterman
Caption	Osterman pitching for the United States women's national softball team in 2008
Position	Pitcher
Birth date	16 April 1983
Birth place	Houston, Texas, U.S.

Cat Osterman is a retired American softball pitcher renowned for her dominant left-handed pitching and extensive success in international competition. She is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and silver at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Osterman also enjoyed a storied collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns and played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch and Athletes Unlimited Softball.

Early life and education

Catherine Leigh Osterman was born in Houston and grew up in the nearby city of Cypress. She attended Cypress Springs High School, where she excelled in both softball and volleyball. As a pitcher, she led her team to the UIL state tournament and was named a high school All-American by multiple publications. Her performance attracted the attention of major collegiate programs, and she committed to play for the University of Texas at Austin.

College career

Osterman's career with the Texas Longhorns from 2002 to 2006 is considered one of the most illustrious in NCAA Division I history. She was a three-time winner of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award and a four-time All-American selection. Osterman set numerous NCAA records, including career strikeouts per seven innings and single-season earned run average. She led the Longhorns to the Women's College World Series multiple times, including a runner-up finish in 2005. Her jersey number was retired by the University of Texas.

Professional career

Following her collegiate success, Osterman played in National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). She was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Rockford Thunder and later played for the USSSA Pride. In the NPF, she was a multiple-time All-NPF selection and NPF Pitcher of the Year. After a hiatus, she returned to professional softball with Athletes Unlimited Softball in its inaugural 2020 season, once again earning All-League honors and leading the new circuit in several pitching categories before retiring from play.

International career

Osterman was a cornerstone of the United States women's national softball team for nearly a decade. She made her senior team debut in 2002 and quickly became its ace. Her first Olympic gold medal came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where she pitched a perfect game against Greece. She returned to win a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Osterman also won multiple gold medals at the ISF World Cup and the Pan American Games, including at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Coaching career

After her playing career, Osterman transitioned into coaching. She began as a volunteer assistant at her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, working with the Texas Longhorns softball pitching staff. In 2022, she was named the head softball coach at Texas State University, taking over the Texas State Bobcats softball program. She has also been involved with instructional camps and is a noted analyst for ESPN softball broadcasts.

Personal life

Osterman married former Houston Astros pitcher Jared Gothreaux in 2014. She has been open about her Christian faith and is involved with charitable organizations, including those supporting youth sports. Osterman has also been an advocate for the return of softball to the Olympic program, which succeeded for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Osterman accumulated a vast array of accolades. Her major honors include two Olympic medals, three USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year awards, and induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the University of Texas Women's Hall of Honor and the National Pro Fastpitch Hall of Fame. In 2022, she was honored with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, recognizing distinguished former student-athletes.

Category:American softball players Category:Olympic softball players of the United States Category:Texas Longhorns softball players