MATT GENTRY The Roanoke Times

Pulaski County pitcher Brandi Turman is one of the Cougars' most dynamic players this year.

DUBLIN -- When Pulaski County High School softball player Ashley Alley approaches the batter's box, she looks for a few things. First, she looks at the defensive alignment, hoping to find a possible window to aim for. Second, she looks for her sunshine place.

The sunshine place may sound like a vacation spot, but it is actually a state of mind.

"It's our relaxing point in the batter's box," Alley said. "It's a matter of visualizing a hit and knowing you can do it."

Pulaski County coach Gina Miano has been incorporating the concept in an effort to create an optimistic mentality.

"The sunshine place is a calming mechanism," Miano said. "We work a lot on visualizing positive outcomes. I have a very young team and therefore a lot of hyperactivity. We try to push them to be calm so that they are focused and ready in pressure situations."

It seems to be working so far. Pulaski County started the week with an 11-5 record, 4-3 in the River Ridge District.

Miano's roster is dominated by 10 juniors. There are only three seniors. Many of the juniors have played at the varsity level since they were freshmen. The Cougars' success suggests that many of those third-year players have come of age this season.

"This is a team with no heroes," Miano said. "A core group of them have played together for a long time. I've had many of them since they were freshmen, and I think I've seen them grow a lot this year.

"But the seniors provide the leadership, the emotion and steadfast way you have to be to stay off the roller coaster within a season. They stabilize the team and bring a lot of maturity."

One of the team leaders is senior Brandi Turman, one of the Cougars' most dynamic players this year. Turman is the No. 1 pitcher and plays shortstop when Miranda Tuell takes the mound. Leaning toward signing with Emory & Henry College, "Brandi just has a sick-nasty dropball," catcher Kari Dunavant said. "Tuell is great at locating the ball and she never shows emotion. She's able to hide any feelings she has out there. Both of them have improved greatly this year because they've learned to stay focused and positive no matter what happens."

Miano agreed.

"Brandi has great movement on the ball this year and she's expanded the number of pitches she can use effectively," she said. "Miranda is steady on the mound. She is absolutely emotionless and plays with a cool head either at shortstop or on the mound. She doesn't have overwhelming speed or movement, but she is extremely consistent."

Glory is not her ultimate objective. Helping her team win is.

"I really try to get base hits and stay within my role in the offense," Turman said. "I used to never bunt, but since last season, I'm happy to get the bunt sign. I love to bunt to move teammates on the bases. I haven't hit a home run this year, and that doesn't bother me as long as I get my job done."

Beyond Alley and Turman, the offense also depends on junior first baseman Andria Hill.

"Andria has a better [pitch] selection this year and because of that she is really able to use that power she is known for," Miano said. "I think her confidence has grown over the last few games and she's hitting shots all over the field."

Predictions had the Cougars finishing behind River Ridge rivals Cave Spring.

"I think we're doing a lot better than people thought we were going to do, but it's just because we have faith in ourselves," Turman said. "We really expect to win the district this year. When we do believe in ourselves, our expectations are above any other team. We have all the talent we need."

Many return next year.

"Of the 10 juniors, at least six of them have college potential," Miano said. "They've been playing together a long time in our program with our philosophies. They've also played summer ball and that gives them more practice and experience playing against great competition. Assistant coach Josh Hurst coaches that team."

Going into today's game against visiting Christiansburg, Pulaski County is fourth in the district standings, two games behind first place Salem. The Cougars have split two games with Cave Spring and have losses to Salem and Hidden Valley. Pulaski County is at Hidden Valley on Tuesday and closes the regular season at Salem on Thursday. The district tournament is the following week.

"We need to believe in each other and in teamwork over the next few weeks," Miano said. "We have no heroes and everyone has to contribute both offensively and defensively. All our parts need to work to get to our goal of a district championship."