CLINTON, Iowa - Ashford's baseball team fell just short of picking up its first win in Midwest Collegiate Conference action as it dropped a nine-inning affair to Iowa Wesleyan, 9-5, at Camanche High School. The Saints stand at 5-10 on the year, including an 0-3 conference mark, as Iowa Wesleyan upped its record to 18-10 (3-0 MCC).

"Today really had the feel of a conference game," commented Ashford Head Coach John Govek. "I was real pleased with the production we received at the bottom of our lineup and the way two freshmen (Michael Caravia, Elliot Swatly) had back-to-back hits to get us on the board."

Freshman catcher Cameron Puetz was perfect on the day with a three hits in three trips to the plate, including his first home run of the year. His three-run shot in the eighth inning brought the Saints to within one run of tying the lead.

Puetz added an RBI single that scored senior Jake Steve in the sixth frame. The freshman is hitting .476 (10-21) to start the season.

AU starting pitcher Billy Becker pounded the strike zone early and often, getting important first-pitch strikes, and pitched five strong innings. Becker didn't allow a hit until the third inning and finished with four strikeouts.

"(Billy) Becker did a great job of keeping us in the game and we just needed to score more," said Govek. "I also thought our bullpen did a great job of holding things down."

Back-to-back doubles by Caravia and Swatly put the Saints on the board in the fifth inning. Caravia went opposite field for his second double of the day in just his second start of the year.

The Tigers scored in four consecutive innings, putting up two runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Iowa Weselyan's Jared Klosterboer hit a three-run pinch hit homer in the eighth inning for insurance runs and Roderick Barcelo left the park again -- making it five home runs in three games for the former Cleveland Indians 42nd-round draft selection (2006).

Winner Hector Acevedo fanned 12 Ashford hitters in nine innings, allowing nine hits and all five Saints' runs.

The Saints will try to put an end to a six-game slide on Tuesday when they host Clarke College (9-14, 2-1 MCC) at 3 p.m.