ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - The Ashford University baseball team threw an early scare into arguably one of the toughest teams fielded at the Florida Collegiate Jamboree on Wednesday, but ultimately fell in a doubleheader against the University of Rio Grande (Ohio), 11-1 and 8-7.

The Red Storm picked up wins 18 and 19 on the year versus just four losses, while the Saints head into Midwest Collegiate Conference play this weekend with a 2-12 record, including a 1-7 mark on the Florida trip.

Rio Grande had also played Grand View University earlier in the week, one of the Saints' counterparts in the MCC, and beat the Vikings convincingly.

"I think we learned a lot about our team this week and we know that we're on the edge of breaking through," AU Head Coach John Govek said. "The players didn't quit and really pushed one of the toughest teams that we'll face to the very end."

The Saints scored five runs off Rio Grande starter Jesse Brown in game two, but the Red Storm's offense tied it up and then some, despite an impressive debut from AU freshman starter Corey Ullmark of Sycamore, Ill.

Ullmark struck out the first batter he faced and worked two scoreless innings to begin the game.

A two-run single by freshman Taylor Boyer of Billings, Mont., set the tone for a five-run second inning, but the Red Storm would tie it up in the top half of the third.

Rio Grande scored in three straight innings to finish, but Ashford took the Red Storm to the brink in a late-stage rally attempt.

Anthony Misitano of Sycamore, Ill., led off the seventh with a single and was plated on a double by sophomore Cameron Puetz of Peru, Ill. Then Adam Wojciechowski of La Salle, Ill., ripped an RBI single up the middle in the seventh to make it 8-7 in favor of the Red Storm.

But a call that could have gone either way went against the Saints as Mike Ray of Sycamore, Ill., hit a chopper that straddled the left-field foul line. RG closer Ryan Chapman then induced Ray to ground out to end the game and pick up the save.

The opener was off to a scary start as Jordan Wakeley of Freeport, Ill., and Brandon VanBlaricome of Bettendorf collided in shallow center field in the first inning. Both players were replaced as a precaution.

Ashford put the first run on the scoreboard in the second inning after an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Roman Davis of Gardnerville, Nev., but it would be the only run the Saints could muster.

Davis recorded a total of 11 RBI during AU's stretch in Florida, including six in the Saints' win over West Virginia Tech.

RG's Ryan Robertson and Eric Ford combined on a one-hitter through a shortened six innings. Senior Nick St. Ores of Freeport, Ill., made his first start of the season.

Robertson stranded three runners on base when he struck out freshman Taylor Boyer of Billings, Mont., to end the second frame. He finished with six punchouts in 5 1/3 innings for his fifth win of the year.

The Saints are scheduled to begin conference play on Saturday, hosting Viterbo University for a twinbill beginning at 1 p.m.