Fairfield University Athletics

2025: Chela Kovar found herself inside the pitching circle 19 times during the 2025 season with 10 of those games coming as a starter. She struck out 27 batters in her 60 innings pitched including seven appearances with three or more strikeouts. Kovar’s season high was a four-strikeout performance against UNC-Greensboro, giving up four runs in five innings of work as the starting pitcher. The sophomore earned two wins during the campaign, beating Mount St. Mary’s in the second game of a doubleheader on March 22 before getting the victory against Manhattan on March 28. Her best stretch came over three games against Central Connecticut (1 ER in three innings), Manhattan (1 ER in five innings), and Merrimack (1 ER in three innings). During the three-game run, she posted a 1.63 ERA with five strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. Her longest run in the circle was a 7.2 inning outing against Charleston Southern as the Stags fell short in a 4-3 decision.

2024: Kovar earned three victories in her inaugural season, splitting her time between being a starter and a reliever. The freshman appeared in 24 games and started 12 of those contests. She won two of her four complete games with her third victory coming in relief against Marist in the regular-season finale. She fanned a personal-best five hitters twice, recording the number against Iona and Marist. She posted four strikeouts in the win over Niagara as well as in a walk-off loss to Lafayette. She ended her season with 85 innings pitched, second only to senior Bailey Taylor’s 95.2 innings tossed.

Before Fairfield: Kovar was a member of the Cinco Ranch High School softball team where she earned All-District honors throughout her career. She was named to the All-District Second Team in 2019 as a utility player and followed up with All-District Second Team honors as a pitcher in 2022. In her senior season, Kovar collected a Silver Slugger Award, Team MVP Award, as well as a spot on the All-District First Team as a pitcher.In the classroom, Kovar was a member of the 2022 Academic Honor Roll as well as an Academic All-District student-athlete in 2023. She also played club softball for several programs, most recently with KTX Gold Blaze.