By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

PORTSMOUTH — Good things come in 3s. Just ask the Shawnee State Bears’ softball team.

Three local players have earned All-MidSouth Conference honors as key contributors to the Bears’ program.

Former South Point Lady Pointers star Ericka Leighty and former Green Lady Bobcats star duo Ali Thompson and Abbey Barrett were all named to the All-MSC team at the conference’s annual banquet.

Leighty, Thompson and Barrett — all sophomores — were all honorable mention selections while teammate Kirsti Yates was the Freshman of the Year. Sam Attinger was also named honorable mention.

Leighty led the team with 40 hits, 31 runs scored, two triples and nine stolen bases. She finished the season with a .333 batting average and three doubles.

Barrett hit at a .303 clip with two home runs and a team-high 21 runs batted in. She also scored 26 runs to go with 30 hits, two doubles and a triple.

Thompson was a standout on the mound with a 13-6 record and an impressive 3.32 earned run average with 18 complete games. In 22 outings, Thompson struck out 84 while walking 38.

Former Rock Hill standout Jazel DeAutremont — another sophomore — joined Leighty and Thompson on the MSC All-Academic team.

The honor goes to student/athletes who are a sophomore or higher in class ranking and carry a 3.25 or better grade point average.