OSKALOOSA, Iowa - The Ashford University softball team struggled to the tune of five hits in combined losses to open the first annual Midwest Collegiate Conference Challenge Weekend on Saturday, falling to Iowa Wesleyan College, 9-2, and host William Penn University, 6-1.

The Saints (7-9 overall, 2-2 MCC) were coming off MCC-opening wins against Viterbo University. Ashford is scheduled to face Waldorf College and St. Ambrose University on Sunday to conclude the conference round-robin tourney.

"Today we struggled to find a good rhythm on offense and couldn't manufacture runs the way we would have liked to," AU Head Coach Kyle Yore said. "Tomorrow will be another test for us against conference competition and we'll come in with a fresh focus."

In game one, IWC freshman Trisha Stogdill belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer to key a three-run seventh inning. Senior outfielder Kara Harris also went deep with a three-run blast, igniting a four-run sixth frame for Iowa Wesleyan.

Ashford senior Kimberly Samples of Bolingbrook, Ill., managed to score on two trips to the plate to account for the Saints' scoring against the Tigers. Additional hits for AU came off the bats of Kathryn Voss of Henry, Ill., and Janelle Schroeder of Wheeling, Ill.

Starter Nicole Woodard of Carbon Cliff, Ill., coming off a no-hitter in her last start at Viterbo University, lasted over four innings and gave up two earned runs while walking one and striking out three.

Tigers' hurler Alyssa Serrano went the distance for the complete-game win, striking out seven in as many innings pitched.

Against the host Lady Statesmen (17-7 overall, 3-2 MCC), Ashford was victimized by a grand slam from NAIA Second-Team All-American Tyanna Helton. Helton's crushing blow came in the fifth inning off AU's Kendra Roth of Salem, S.D., as William Penn grabbed a 5-0 lead.

The Saints avoided the shutout by getting on the board in the sixth inning, receiving an RBI from Schroeder to score center fielder Nichole Salazar of Minooka, Ill.

Schroeder's sister, Nicole, recorded the team's other hit against the Lady Statesmen.

But Ashford was held in check by WP starter Monica Villareal, who fanned nine in the complete game effort. Roth also went the distance on the mound for Ashford, but was tagged for the six runs, five earned.

The Saints meet Waldorf tomorrow at 1:15 pm before squaring off against St. Ambrose at 3:30 p.m.