Softball – To the Rescue: Cuevas re-emerges at crucial time for Cajuns

Brady Aymond • baymond@theadvertiser.com • April 21, 2009

Brittany Cuevas is in a position most athletes never find themselves.

The junior from Brazoria, Texas, literally carried the UL softball team on her back as a true freshman in 2007.

Cuevas appeared in 46 of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 64 games that year, amassing a program-record 31 wins for a freshman.

She struck out 303 batters in 292 innings in being named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. She led the team to the NCAA Regionals in College Station, Texas, where the team lost back-to-back games by one run in extra innings to Houston and Sam Houston State.

Since then, however, the imposing figure in the circle – with her Hannibal Lecter-esque face mask – has appeared in only 28 total games over the last two years.

Injuries, combined with the arrival of blue-chip recruits Ashley Brignac and Donna Bourgeois, have limited Cuevas’ opportunities.

But the former Brazoswood High standout has maintained a positive outlook and it’s starting to pay off.

"It’s just part of the game. You have to keep fighting no matter what happens," Cuevas said. "I have to be there for my teammates and keep fighting no matter what."

With Brignac currently sidelined with tendonitis in her throwing shoulder, and the Cajuns entering the stretch run, Cuevas has and will continue to be an integral part of the Cajuns’ plans.

And so far, when Cuevas (3-1 with 1.12 ERA this season) has been given the opportunity, she’s made the most of it.

On Sunday against Troy, after starter Bourgeois allowed three hits in the first inning, Cuevas replaced her and was masterful.

The hard-throwing righty struck out a season-high 11 batters and scattered only four hits to help the Cajuns finish off a three-game sweep of Troy, 4-3, that vaulted UL into first place in the Sun Belt standings.

It was the second-straight weekend Cuevas was called on to throw the final game of the series, and the second-straight time she responded.

The previous week, Cuevas came on to shut out South Alabama, 3-0, and strike out eight batters for the Cajuns’ only win of the three-game series.

"That’s a kid that has never stopped working and she’s a great teammate," UL coach Stefni Lotief said. "For her to go out there and have that kind of performance is wonderful for me, because truly I believe in her probably more than she believes in herself.

"She continues to work hard and that’s what these kids have to understand. When the opportunity presents itself, you have to be ready and be focused … I’m proud of her efforts and her understanding that it is about the team."

As a former pitcher, Lotief knows firsthand what it’s like to be pulled from a game or sitting the bench when struggling. She said Cuevas has done the right things as far as not falling behind in her preparations.

"It’s just about staying focused and making sure she prepares every day like she’s going to be in the lineup," Lotief said. "You can be one of two people – somebody who stops preparing or someone who believes in the system and never stops preparing and wants to continue to challenge themselves. And that’s what she’s done."

As the Cajuns enter the final nine-game stretch and subsequent postseason, Cuevas says her job is to just stay ready.

"I just have to stay positive and be ready for the team when they need me, and for the coaches and anything they ask me to do," Cuevas said. "It always feels good to be out there."