OSKALOOSA, Iowa - The Ashford University softball team concluded a five-game stretch at the MCC Challenge Weekend with another loss, a 5-0 shutout dealt by St. Ambrose University at the Lacey Sports Complex on Sunday.

SAU's Jenna Howard drove in four of her team's five runs on three hits, including a pair of run-scoring triples, to lead the Queen Bees' offensive attack. Caitlin Polzin added an RBI single for St. Ambrose (6-9, 3-3 MCC).

It was an unfortunate ending against league competition at the round-robin tourney, which included morning losses on Sunday against Waldorf College and Grand View University.

The Saints (7-12, 2-5 MCC) were held off the scoreboard by SAU starter Melissa Krueger, scattering four hits through seven innings. She fanned five and issued a pair of walks.

The hits came for Ashford near the top of the lineup as the first three hitters, Jessica Martin of Arlington Heights, Ill., Janelle Schroeder of Wheeling, Ill., and Whitney Bauer of DeWitt, each singled. Senior Nichole Salazar of Minooka, Ill., ripped a double in the second inning.

After a scoreless first inning, Jenna Howard cleared the bases for the Queen Bees in the second inning with a three-run triple.

Krueger and AU starter Kendra Roth of Salem, S.D., were locked in a pitcher's duel, combining for eight consecutive scoreless innings before the Queen Bees touched Roth for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for added insurance.

Howard legged out her second three-bagger of the game before Polzin poked a single to center to bring her teammate home.

Krueger retired the Saints' side in order to close out the game and pick up the complete game victory. Roth went the distance for Ashford, allowing seven hits and striking out two.

Ashford travels to Davenport to face the same St. Ambrose squad on Wednesday in a doubleheader before returning home on Thursday for a non-conference battle against Cornell College at the Ericksen Center.