CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University dropped two non-conference games to the Cornell College Rams on Thursday night.

The Saints (7-16, 2-7 MCC) were unable to connect on the pitching of Cornell (12-5-1) ace Jill Trzaska in game one, losing 6-1 before falling victim of a late Ram rally en route a 9-7 loss in game two.

In game one, Cornell's Kim Griseto doubled in the top of the first inning to get the Rams on the board for an early 2-0 lead.

After the Rams scored another run in the top of the third, Ashford responded with a run of their own. Junior Marissa Thede of Davenport pinch hit for sophomore Jessica Martin and Arlington Heights, Ill., in the bottom of the third inning and singled to score sophomore Cara Harmon of Westfield, Ind., cutting the deficit to 3-1 in favor of Cornell.

After three scoreless innings, the Rams added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh to seal game one.

Trzaska struck out seven batters in a complete game performance without issuing a walk, allowing only four hits.

In game two, the Saints used their bats to jump out to a big lead in the second inning.

Sophomore Katyln Akers of Orion, Ill., recorded an RBI single to score sophomore Nicole Schroeder of Wheeling, Ill., and give the Saints a 1-0 lead early in the inning. RBI singles by senior Nichole Salazar of Minooka, Ill., Martin, sophomore Janelle Schroeder of Wheeling, Ill., and senior Whitey Bauer of DeWitt, ensued, and the Saints were up 6-0 with only one out in the inning.

Junior Kendra Roth of Salem, S.D., the starting pitcher of game two, helped her own cause with an RBI double to give the Saints a 7-0 lead after two innings. Roth recorded three hits in game two.

Errors plagued Ashford in the late innings, and the Rams added runs in the fifth, six and seventh innings, to overcome the deficit and take the lead.

Trzaska returned to the pitching circle for the Cornell in the seventh in a relief role, striking out sophomore Nicole Woodard of Carbon Cliff, Ill., to end the game and complete the sweep.