Softball: UL pitcher Brignac opts for surgery

Joshua Parrott and Brady Aymond • sports@theadvertiser.com • June 17, 2009

UL star softball pitcher Ashley Brignac will spend the summer rehabbing her right shoulder after undergoing surgery last week, her father told theadvertiser.com on Tuesday in an exclusive interview.

Limited as a sophomore during the 2009 season due to problems in her throwing shoulder, Brignac turned to acclaimed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Brignac’s surgery was done last Wednesday in Birmingham.

The news was first reported at theadvertiser.com.

"She had surgery, and it went well," said Brignac’s father, Joe Brignac. "We’re just glad it’s over."

The total recovery period from the surgery will be determined after two follow-up doctor visits. Her next appointment is in five weeks.

Dr. Andrews, a native of Homer, La., is considered one of the nation’s top surgeons for shoulder, elbow and knee injuries. The former LSU pole vaulter has performed surgery for more than 30 years on a long list of top-flight athletes, including Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Bo Jackson, Drew Brees, Roger Clemens, Charles Barkley, Jack Nicklaus and Brett Favre.

Brignac’s injury was "not structural and not from overuse," according to a source close to the program.

"Dr. Andrews was very excited about the outcome," Joe Brignac said. "He’s convinced that she’ll be able to pitch for a long time. She’s looking forward to rehab and doing everything she can to be back next season."

Brignac is eager to get back to full strength. This past season, she went 8-3 with a 0.44 ERA in 14 appearances as the Ragin’ Cajuns won the Sun Belt Conference regular season and league tournament titles and reached the Waco Regional. Those numbers recently earned her honorable mention recognition on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s All-Louisiana team.

As a freshman in 2008, Brignac helped UL advance to the Women’s College World Series. She won 31 games and struck out 327 batters in 228 innings. In a 3-2 win over top-ranked Florida on the first day of the Women’s College World Series that season, she fanned a career-high 15 batters.

At the end of that year Brignac was named to the NFCA All-South Region second team, Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year, first team all-conference and Sun Belt tournament Most Valuable Player.

Two weeks ago, she received the James J. Corbett Memorial Award from the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame as Louisiana’s top female amateur athlete in 2008, based on her freshman year.

Brignac won the organization’s female amateur athlete award for greater New Orleans in 2007 as a senior at John Curtis High. That same year she was named the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.

Due to her shoulder injury, Brignac recently turned down an invitation to the 2009 USA Softball Women’s National Team Select Camp in California.

In an interview with theadvertiser.com on June 3 – one week before her surgery – Brignac said she would rehab her shoulder while at home this summer in River Ridge outside New Orleans. She never mentioned the impending surgery.

"I’ve talked with my parents and coaches and decided not to attend the tryout," Brignac said at the time. "I’m not 100 percent, so I didn’t think it was smart to test it. They support my decision.

"Now I’m going to do my best to get my shoulder better for next season."

If Brignac is healthy in 2010, UL will have three pitchers available that have won at least 30 games in a single college season.

As a sophomore in 2009, Donna Bourgeois was the Sun Belt and LSWA All-Louisiana Pitcher of the Year after going 30-9 with a 1.07 ERA. Brittany Cuevas earned first team all-conference honors with a 31-11 mark as a freshman in 2007.