Softball: Optimistic Brignac sees the silver lining by Lexie Alexander, Vermilion Staff Writer

Lexie Iskander, Vermilion Sports Writer ali7296@louisiana.edu

(This story published in the June 24, 2009 issue of the Vermilion, UL Lafayette’s Student Newspaper Since 1904). You may visit the Verm at http://theverm.com

Ashley Brignac led the University of Louisiana at Lafayette softball team to the Women’s College World Series in 2008. But due to a shoulder injury this season, Brignac was unable to play as much as she had last season. Brigac pitched a few in the first half of the season, but missed most of the second half. She pitched one game in the Sunbelt Conference series and one and a half games at regionals.

Brignac found the experience of not pitching in most games different. She also had to adapt to a new role on the softball team.

“It was very hard to go through, but I took it as a challenge and understood that I still have a different role on this team,” said Brignac. On the field, off the field, there is always a role to be played, whether that’s being out there physically or mentally. I wanted to help my teammates as much as I could, doing whatever I could. I definitely saw a whole other side of the game that I haven’t seen before and it will only help me in the future. No mater what I can do, I will always be there for my team and will do whatever I need to do to be able to achieve our goal, even if that means just simply cheering them on and staying focused on every pitch. I accept whatever role is put in front of me.”

Sophomore Donna Bourgeois, senior Amanda Hill, junior Shari Sigur and junior Brittany Cuevas stepped in this year in a big way in Brignac’s absence. Briganc was always there in heart when one of them was pitching.

“As a pitching staff, Brittany, Donna, Shari and Amanda became very close,” said Brignac. “As my own way to stay in the game and to help in whatever way I can, I would always say something to whoever was pitching before every inning. Whether it was saying ‘I am right there with you’, ‘or all of us together’, or ‘stay focused one pitch at a time’, or ‘you got this’, it was always a little something to help in whatever way I could. Our thing as pitchers is when one person is out there pitching; all of us are out there together. We cheer for each other, as all push each other to get better.”

This year, Karli Hubaard, Codi Runyan and Amanda Hill graduated. According to Brignac, their absence will certainly be felt.

“It is always different when our seniors leave, not just on the field but also off the field,” said Brignac. “Most people only see the on-field performances, but only our team sees what goes on off the field, and these three ladies were more than just player on the field. They were, are, and will forever be our teammates, our sisters, our family and will be very missed.”

The coaching team of Michael and Stefni Lotif has been a major attribute to the Cajun’s success. Stefni has been the head coach for nine years and Michael has been for seven years. Stefni holds a 130-20 (.867) record in Sun Belt games. Together, they have led to program to NCAA Regionals in each season and the Women’s College World Series in 2003 and 2008.

“The Lotif’s are the type of coaches that athletes should want to play for,” said Brignac. “They challenge you in every way possible, athletically, academically, and just being a better person in life. They expect a lot out of us, which is a very good thing; especially if you want to achieve the goal we all play for, to be the last team standing in the end. They have challenged me to be better, and I accept that challenge and want to be better in every way that I can.”

Brignac recently received the Allstate Sugar Bowl 2008 Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Corbett top female amateur athlete in the state of Louisiana award for her 2008 season performance. Tyrell Fenroy received the Corbett award for the top male amateur athlete in the state of Louisiana. Brignac also received an award from the same organization when she was in high school. For her superlative high school career, she was named the 2007 Outstanding Prep Player in the State.

“It was an honor to get one of those awards, much less getting both,” said Brignac. “For the past couple of years, I have always seen the past Corbett Award winners and now that I was able to receive that award, it was really special. Made made it even better was that Fenroy also got it. For him and me to represent our university was amazing, especially being the first person from UL Lafayette to receive it. I was very happy we got to share that experience together.”

Brignac will be a junior in the fall, majoring in exercise science. She is also getting the pre-med requirements. When she graduates, she would like to be involved in sports in some way. She would like to help athletes in whatever way you can. Whatever she does, she plans on using the experiences she has been through to help others.

Briganc likes to eat, watch movies, listen to music and watch softball outside when she is not practicing. She also enjoys watching’s the Yankee and Detroit baseball teams. She has a friend, Rick Porcello, who is now pitching for them.

Brignac is rehabbing her shoulder this summer, after having surgery over a week ago.

“My goals for this summer and for the fall are to get myself ready for this upcoming season,” added Brignac.