By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Nicole Daily is finally taking center stage in the pitcher's circle.

In her first three years on the diamond, Daily has taken a backseat to established hurlers at both Handley and Millbrook. But this season she has thrived in her long-awaited role as the team's ace.

"I don't really look at it any differently than any other year," Daily said. "I think it's just my time. It's my year to shine."

As a freshman and sophomore at Handley, Daily played second fiddle to Brenna Muckle, but sported a 2.33 earned run average as a ninth-grader, and a 1.66 ERA the following year. She logged more than 60 innings, shining without the spotlight focused upon her.

Daily then transferred to Millbrook for her junior season, but the presence of Carleigh Howett, one of the area's top pitchers in 2007, relegated Daily to a backup role. She finished the season at 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA in 40 innings.

Now Daily, who previously carried a reputation as a hitter, is the anchor of Millbrook's pitching staff as well. She's racked up a 9-3 record with a 0.48 ERA in 88 1/3 innings, and leads the area with 111 strikeouts.

"I worked really hard in the offseason on my pitching, because I knew I was going to have to pitch more," Daily said.

Daily's offseason is a little different from that of most players. She plays softball year-round for the Ashburn Shooting Stars travel team.

The team plays in tournaments all over the country, including Florida and California. This summer the team will play in Colorado and Oklahoma. The team practices all year, except during the winter. It includes players from many of the Loudoun County schools, including Broad Run's Judy Betz and Loudoun Valley's Caroline Williams.

"Playing travel ball has helped me tremendously," Daily said. "You get to play with some of the best players in the area. It makes you better. It's a lot of fun."

Daily said she began playing on travel teams when she was around 13, and the repetition of swings has helped her improve her naturally sweet stroke at the plate.

As a freshman, she hit .373 with 13 RBIs and two homers. As a sophomore, she improved to a .404 average with three homers and an area-best 26 RBIs. Last year, Daily ratcheted her numbers up another notch, hitting .457 with an area-best 25 RBIs.

She is currently hitting .439 with one homer and 19 RBIs.

"She has a beautiful swing," Millbrook coach Michelle Long said. "It's to no one's credit but her own. She's a very hard worker. She also has the ability to make adjustments very quickly. A lot of players have to see a pitcher the first time through the lineup and then make adjustments. She can make adjustments, almost in the moment."

Perhaps the biggest adjustment Daily had to make the last few years was going to a new school and playing with new teammates. Daily was forced to transfer after her parents separated. Adding to the transition was the fact that she was now donning the jersey of her previous rival.

"I think the first couple days it was a little nerve-racking," Long said. "We already had an established team and so I think it was a little tough for them. I think after a couple days, once they saw her work ethic it was better. She came in, just like she did this year, just wanting to find her role for the team and wanting to do her part to help the team. After that, it was no big deal."

Daily has one more difficult transition to make in softball, but that will not come until the fall when she enrolls at Radford University, where she recently signed. She chose Radford over Villanova, Delaware, JMU and Western Kentucky.

"I wasn't even looking at Radford and then they came and saw me at a college showcase," Daily said. "I went for a visit and I just fell in love with the school. It just felt like the right fit."

Daily still has plenty more work to do before going to college. The Pioneers are currently in second place in the Northwestern District, and the main goal for the team is to get back to regionals.

Last year the Pioneers advanced to the Region II tournament for the first time in school history, but lost in the regional quarterfinals to Fort Defiance, 5-4. Millbrook returned only four players from that team, but the expectations remain high.

"We have a young team," Daily said. "We've had our ups and downs, but we have a lot of talent. The key for us just working together as a team. I think we can accomplish anything we put our mind to."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com