GULF SHORES, Ala. – Unbeaten North Alabama took advantage of its limited scoring chances to spoil Peyton Helton's brilliant outing to beat Midwestern State 3-2 Saturday in the Gulf Coast Invitational at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
 
Helton limited the Lions to three hits over six innings while striking out four and walking six to fall to 1-3 on the season.
 
North Alabama's Anna Gayle Norris delivered a two-run single to left-field after the Lions loaded the bases on a pair of walks and an error in the bottom of the first.
 
This was after the Mustangs loaded the bases in the top of the frame on a Haley Howerton single to left field and a pair of walks to Katelyn Vinson and Baylee Voigt.
 
Howerton scored on a wild pitch before UNA starter Raven Cole fanned Taylor Mordecai and Tammy Viliamu to end the threat.
 
Cole fourth through control issues as she held the Mustangs to two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts to improve to 6-0 on the season despite issuing three walks and uncording five wild pitches.
 
MSU knotted the game at 2-2 in the third as Vinson laced a leadoff single to center field and advanced to third on consecutive wild pitches before scoring on Voigt's single to center field.
 
UNA's Bailey Nelson drove in the winning run in the bottom of the fourth after Carmen Whitfield reached on a hit batsmen with one out then Harlie Barkley drew a walk to advance her into scoring position.
 
Vinson (3-for-3) and Voigt (1-for-3) extended their hitting streak to four games, while Howerton logged her team-best fifth multiple-hit game of the season by going 2-for-4.
 
Midwestern State evened its record to 5-5 with a 12-9 win over McKendree (Ill.) in Saturday's nightcap. No further information was provided by tournament officials directed by Spring Hill College (Ala.).
 
The Mustangs close tournament play Sunday against No. 1 North Georgia. First pitch is set for 9 a.m.