Lady Panthers’ Chapman leads area All-Ohio softball picks

Published 2:31 am Thursday, June 11, 2009

Allison Chapman had a remarkable softball season this year.

Her post-season hasn’t been too bad, either.

The Chesapeake Lady Panthers junior pitcher capped an eventful season by being named to the Ohio High School Softball Coaches’ Association All-Ohio team.

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Chapman, a junior, was the key to the Lady Panthers first-ever unbeaten regular season, an Ohio Valley Conference championship and a 23-1 record. Her efforts not only earned her the Division III Southeast District Player of the Year award, but a spot on the All-Ohio first team.

South Point senior infielder and outfielder Ericka Leighty was an honorable mention pick. Leighty — who has signed with Shawnee State — is one of the state’s all-time stolen base leaders with more than 80.

A good all-around athlete, Leighty qualified for the state track meet in the high jump and long jump.

Green’s impressive 18-4 season that generated a Southern Ohio Conference title and a run all the way to the regional finals was fueled by the battery of senior pitcher Ali Thompson and senior catcher Abbey Barrett.

For their performances the duo were named to the Division IV All-Ohio first team. Both will play next season at Shawnee State.

Symmes Valley Lady Vikings’ junior infielder Nikki Nance was a second team All-Ohio selection. Nance was instrumental in the Lady Vikings district runner-up season.

Also named to the Division III All-Ohio second team was Wheelersburg’s Lainee Clay, daughter of Steve Clay and granddaughter of Dick Clay, both former St. Joseph athletes.