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The talented pitcher is spending most of her time at the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Softball Tournament in the dugout cheering on her Louisiana Voodoo teammates.
Which is quite a change considering she's somewhat of a celebrity back home after leading Louisiana-Lafayette to the 2008 Women's College World Series and a No. 6 ranking as a freshman.
Brignac's coach has even nicknamed her the Pistol Pete (Maravich) of softball.
<center><p><a href="http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/jul/05/college-star-brignac-returns-to-voodoo/" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
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"It's pretty funny because some little girls came to a camp because I was there and one of them asked me, 'Do you ride a limo everywhere?' I wish. ... These little girls come up and ask for my autograph and everything. It's kind of weird to me."
Some might find it strange that such an accomplished college player would spend part of her summer playing on an under-18 competitive team. Brignac, who has only made one brief relief appearance so far at this tournament, wants to help her younger teammates the way she remembers older teammates mentoring her a few years ago.
"I am the older one this year, which I'm not used to. But my role now, whether it's mentally or physically, I kind of help them like a third coach," Brignac said.
She knows her presence will also help draw more attention to the Voodoo from college scouts looking for the next Brignac.
"I didn't expect her to come back, but I think that says a lot about her character," said Voodoo coach Jesse Barksdale. "I feel fortunate to be around her, more for what kind of person she is."
Brignac was recruited by just about every major softball program in the country and made visits to Baylor, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Louisiana State before committing to Louisiana-Lafayette.
Why not go somewhere like UCLA?
"I've been asked that question a thousand times," Brignac said. "It isn't about going to the No. 1 school or something, it's about making a difference somewhere. And I'm a Louisiana girl. ... I wanted to make a difference in my state."
What a difference a dominant pitcher can make.
All Brignac did for the Cajuns last season was lead the team in wins (31), appearances (44), innings pitched (228.1) and strikeouts (327).
The International Olympic Committee seems to be the only team that can really hit Brignac. Softball will not be a part of the 2012 Games, which is when the Pistol Pete of softball figures to be in her pitching prime.
"That's heartbreaking," she said. "The Olympics are like the major leagues for us after college. ... If it gets back in 2016, that's what I would want to do."
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