FOREST CITY, Iowa - Despite a pair of three-run home runs from senior third baseman Brian Cummings, the Ashford University baseball team was on the short end of an offensive showcase in the bottom of the ninth inning, 12-11 at Waldorf College on Tuesday afternoon.

The Saints and Warriors exploded for 23 runs on 23 hits in a nine-inning game that featured three lead changes in Forest City, Iowa.

Ashford slipped to 7-17 overall on the year, 2-8 in Midwest Collegiate Conference action after winning two of its last three games, the last victory an 11-0 rout at Grand View University last weekend.

Although Ashford outhit Waldorf, 12-11, the story was another one-run loss posted to the Saints' season record. Half of Ashford's losses (9-of-18) have stemmed from a one-run decision.

Cummings blasted two home runs, numbers five and six on the year, and had six RBI to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. His first three-run blast in the fourth inning keyed a six-run frame for Ashford as it jumped out to a 7-2 lead.

After singling in his first at-bat, the Clinton native continued his offensive assault in the top of the eighth inning, tying the game at 11 with his second three-run shot after senior Tyler Sukut drew a walk and sophomore Austin Poindexter doubled to lead off.

Poindexter had three RBI on a pair of doubles and scored twice at the leadoff spot.

During Cummings' 12-game stretch dating back to March 21 against Iowa Wesleyan College, he is hitting .429 (18-of-42) while moving up to fourth in the MCC in batting average. He has recorded a hit in 21 of 24 possible games.

The offensive damage came from both sides as Waldorf's Brandon Pitz scored the winning run, drove home five runs on three hits and picked up the win on the mound in relief, striking out the only two batters he faced.

The Warriors erased their five-run deficit by putting a seven-spot on the scoreboard in the seventh inning, getting a three-run home run by clean-up hitter and catcher Bryan Kloetzke.

Ashford kept current MCC Player of the Week, Scott Chirpich, at bay by holding him hitless in three plate appearances.

The Saints put the go-ahead run in scoring position in the top of the ninth with one out, but Michael Caravia was left stranded at second base after back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat.

Pitz scored the winning run on a double by Shawn Palmer with one out.

The Saints have two more shots at the Warriors tomorrow, squaring off for a doubleheader at noon.