OSKALOOSA, Iowa - After dropping a pair of games on day one of the MCC Challenge, the Ashford University softball team returned to the field at William Penn University to face Grand View University for the morning match-up and Waldorf College in game two.

An eight-run third inning by Grand View dug the Saints into a deep hole that even a two-run home run by senior Jessie Rosenow of Erie, Ill., couldn't get them out of in game one as the Vikings were victorious, 9-4.

Waldorf used solid pitching and scored runs in the first four innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead and hung on to win game two by a score of 6-1.

In game one, a bases-loaded RBI single by Courtney Yacinich started the big inning for the Vikings, and a wild pitch and two walks increased the Viking lead to 4-0. Walks and errors plagued the Saints the rest of the inning, and when the third out was recorded Grand View was leading 9-0 after three innings.

The Saints responded in the top of the fourth inning after sophomore Kathryn Voss of Henry, Ill., doubled, scoring sophomores Nicole Woodard of Carbon Cliff, Ill., and Cara Harmon of Westfield, Ind., to cut the Viking lead to 9-2.

After senior Whitey Bauer of DeWitt flied out and junior Kendra Roth of Salem, S.D., walked, it was time for Rosenow to step up to the plate. The right-handed hitter got a hold of a Lauren Vitello pitch and drove it the opposite way and over the right field wall for a two-run home run, her first of the season.

The two runs were all the Saints would get in the fifth inning to make the score 9-4 in favor of the Vikings.

With two runners on base, Roth pitched her way out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth, not allowing either Viking runner to cross home plate and do any further damage.

After Rosenow singled to center field and Harmon walked in the top of the seventh, Voss was caught looking at a strike to end the game.

In the second game, the Saints again fell victim to hot hitting in the early innings, this time against the Warriors from Waldorf College.

Waldorf took the lead in the bottom of the first after Katie Bredlow grounded out to senior pitcher Alisha Parker of Camanche, scoring Andrea Blanchard for a 1-0 lead.

Waldorf's Rachel Hannam homered in the bottom of the second to increase the Warrior lead to 2-0. The next batter, Kelli Correll got on base and stole second and third before scoring on a Logan Story single.

The Saints got their first hit of the game in the top of the fifth when sophomore Janelle Schroeder of Wheeling, Ill., singled.

Waldorf pitcher Emily Hoague allowed only three hits on the day and struck out two.

The Saints had active bats in the top of the seventh after Michelle Woolley singled to lead off the inning. After advancing to second, Jessica Martin singled to bring home Woolley. Schroeder grounded out to the second baseman to end the game and secure the victory for the Warriors.