By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — As Nicole Daily stepped to the plate against Warren County, the defense shifted to the right side of the diamond, anticipating the left-handed Daily to pull the ball.

Much to the Wildcats' chagrin, however, Daily once again showcased her skills and promptly doubled to left field.

"She has the ability to put the ball wherever it needs to go," Millbrook coach Michelle Long said. "It's amazing."

Daily, The Northern Virginia Daily's Softball Player of the Year, was a standout at the plate and in the pitching circle this season for the Pioneers.

Her offensive totals were staggering, topped by her area-leading .468 batting average and 27 RBIs, which also ranked first. Daily also was second in doubles, tied for second in stolen bases, tied for third in home runs, seventh in runs scored and legged out two triples.

One of her homers came during the Northwestern District semifinals against Central, when she blasted a two-run shot in the bottom of the first inning to help the Pioneers to a regional berth.

"That was a great feeling," Daily said. "It was a close game. I felt like that really set the pace for the game."

Added Long: "I think we came into the game a little tight. It helped everyone relax. That home run let everyone know that, 'OK, we can start hitting now. We're going to be all right.'"

And when Daily settles for a walk or single, Long is content to let her loose on the basepaths. Daily and teammate Casey Ferrell each had 19 swipes on the year.

In the pitching circle, however, Daily was just as dominant. After toiling for two years as the understudy of Handley's Brenna Muckle and then Millbrook's Carleigh Howett, Daily shined when her coach handed her the ball. Daily tied Central's Brea Hinegardner with an area-best 13 victories, but did so while posting a remarkable 0.75 earned run average across 150 1/3 innings of work.

Her 188 strikeouts were 51 more than any other pitcher in the area.

"I worked really hard on my travel team to get ready for this season," Daily said. "I learned a lot from Brenna and Carleigh as well."

Despite having a young team, the Pioneers still managed to advance to the Region II quarterfinals, where they lost to Fluvanna.

"I think we did great," Daily said. "I think everybody worked hard and it really paid off in the end. It was definitely everything I expected it to be."

Daily has signed to play softball at Radford University, where she will enroll this fall. Daily, who said her mother and aunt were both dental hygienists, will major in dentistry.

"It's just something I've always wanted to do," Daily said.

Whether she's clearing the bases or cleaning teeth, Long knows Daily will be successful.

"She's very on top of things," Long said. "I know that she will go to Radford and do amazing things on and off the field. She decided that she wants to be a dentist, so she sat down and came up with a plan for herself. That's just how she is. She's very organized."

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

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