Cougars open SoCon softball tournament bid with victory

State Report

MOUNT PLEASANT — Kristie Shifflett's solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning gave No. 3 seed College of Charleston a 6-5 win over No. 6 seed Furman in the first round of the Southern Conference softball tournament at Patriots Point on Wednesday.

The Cougars (32-31) erased a 1-0 deficit with a three-run third, keyed by RBI doubles from Kristi Woodall and Katie Nutaitis.

In the home fifth, Nutaitis made it 5-4 with a solo homer.

Shannon Howard came on in relief and earned the win. She yielded seven hits and three runs.

The Cougars play Georgia Southern at 5 p.m. today in the double-elimination tournament.

In Wednesday's other games, UNC Greensboro beat Elon 1-0, Georgia Southern defeated Appalachian State 4-2, Chattanooga beat Western Carolina 3-1.

--Shannon Howard was named to the All-SoCon first team as a designated player, and Howard, a junior, was named the pitcher on the second team, joining three other C of C players: sophomore Kristie Shifflett, third base; junior Tiffany Harmon, outfield; and freshman Katie Nutaitis, utility player.

--Outfielder Jill Shondel and catcher Ashley Conway, both seniors, were named to the All-Big South Conference softball second team. Conway also made the conference's all-academic team.

College equestrian

The College of Charleston competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Nationals starting today at the Los Angeles Equestian Center. It is C of C's 21st nationals in 25 years.

In April, the Cougars won their fourth straight IHSA Zone 5 championship held in Sewanee, Tenn.

Bob Story is in his 17th season as head coach of the C of C varsity equestrian team and his 26th overall at the school.

Swimming

Hugh Wilder of Charleston swept three backstroke events and set national age-group records (60-64) in each last weekend at the U.S. Masters Swimming National Short-Course Championships in Austin, Texas. Wilder won the 50 back in 26.82 seconds, the 100 back in 59.29 and the 200 back in 2:15.36. He also placed fourth in the 50 butterfly (26.58) and fourth in the 100 individual medley (1:02.75).

Results of other Charleston swimmers: Steve Robling (35-39 age group): 50 free - 22.93 (22nd); 200 free - 1:52.10 (20th); 50 fly - 25.50 (24th); 100 individual medley - 59.31 (26th). Austin Henne (18-24 age group): 50 free - 26.79 (24th); 50 breast - 36.44 (18th). Courtney Faller (30-34 age group): 50 free - 22.98 (13th); 200 free - 1:47.74 (3rd); 500 free - 4:57.89 (4th); 400 IM - 4:25.34 (3rd).