CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University softball displayed their pitching talent and ability to play ‘small ball' during a beautiful Tuesday afternoon at Emma Young Park, picking up two conference victories over Viterbo University.

After the Saints (7-7, 2-0 MCC) picked up a victory in game one, Nicole Woodard struck out three on her way to a complete game, no-hit shutout of the V-Hawks (3-10, 0-2 MCC) in the finale.

The Saints used a six-run sixth inning en route to a final score of 8-1 during the first game against Viterbo, and only needed one run in the finale to complete the sweet, winning 1-0.

"It's always nice to pick up two victories against a conference opponent," said AU Head Coach Kyle Yore. "It was a great start to conference play and puts us in a great position for this weekend's conference competition."

The Saints got on the board in the fourth inning of game one after Wheeling, Ill., product Janelle Schroeder doubled to score her sister Nicole Schroeder, putting Ashford out front, 1-0. Not to be outdone, the V-Hawks came right back in the top of the fifth to tie the game after Andrea Haines singled, allowing Kenisha McGuire to cross home plate.

The Saints responded in the bottom of the fifth after Nichole Salazar of Minooka, Ill., led off with a triple over the right-fielders head. The next batter, Cara Harmon of Westfield, Ind., singled up the middle to bring home Salazar and retake the lead at 2-1.

Ashford batted through their entire order in the sixth inning, tallying six runs to break the game wide open with only one inning to play. After Clinton, Iowa product Lindsey Thorton and Salazar reached base, five consecutive singles followed. A two run single by Kendra Roth of Salem S.D., forced the V-Hawk to make a pitching change, but the next batter, Woodard, greeted new pitcher Mel Olsen with another two run single to increase the lead to 8-1.

Roth, the Saints' starting pitcher, allowed only one run on three hits for Ashford, striking out six and earning the victory in game one.

In game two, the Saints were able to load the bases in the second and third innings, but weren't able to get a run across until Jessica Martin of Arlington Heights, Ill., singled home Salazar in the bottom of the fourth. 

The 1-0 lead was all the help Woodward would need from there.

Woodard only allowed two base runners throughout the entire second game, only a third inning walk and an error in the fourth prevent her from tossing a perfect game. Woodward's pitching limited the V-Hawks to ground balls and easy put-outs for the defense behind her.

Of the 21 outs in the game, a mere three game from outside of the infield. Back to back grounders to Harmon sealed the no-hitter, the victory, and the sweep for the Saints.

"We did a fantastic job of pitching in each game," added Yore. "What an accomplishment for Nicole (Woodard), she's been excellent for us so far and she's only getting better as the season progresses."

The Saints softball team will travel to Iowa Wesleyan College in Oskaloosa, Iowa this weekend for the MCC Challenge round-robin tournament.