MCKINNEY, HERRON NAMED ALL-AMERICA IN SOFTBALL

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Three Rivers Community College Lady Raiders capped their record-setting softball season with two players being selected for All-America honors.

Molly McKinney, a sophomore pitcher from Kelly High School in Benton, was a second-team selection on the National Junior College Athletic Association All-America team.

Jennifer Herron, an outfielder from Hernando, Miss., made the third team.

Four Lady Raiders were named to the All-Midwest Region team, including McKinney and Jackson High product Mindy Myers.

McKinney, who along with Herron has signed to play for the University of Tennessee-Martin, went 27-8 this year. Her win total is a single-season school record, as are her 124 strikeouts.

During her two-year career at TRCC, McKinney had a record 201 strikeouts and accumulated the second-most number of wins (40).

McKinney, who plans to study communications at UT-Martin, said that the school's size was a deciding factor. That, and "of course, Jennifer's going to be there."

Myers, who is leaning toward signing with NAIA power Columbia College, holds TRCC single-season and career records for runs (65, 104) and stolen bases (34, 61).

"Mindy really stepped up and played well this season," said TRCC coach Jack Childress. "She moved to catcher after playing in the outfield and did a great job for us. She was the fastest player on the team and can really move around the bases."