GULF SHORES, Ala. – North Georgia first baseman Ansley Phillips homered to center field to give the top-ranked Nighthawks the lead before putting together a four-run fifth inning in an 11-6 win Sunday over Midwestern State.

With the loss, Midwestern State moved to 5-6 on the season after a 3-3 record at the three-day Gulf Coast Invitational.

After North Georgia (4-4) went in front 1-0 in the top of the first, the Mustangs made the most of their first appearance at the plate with a two-run inning. Midwestern tallied four hits in the frame and recorded three straight-singles as junior first baseman Erin Knox drove in both MSU runs in the inning for a 2-1 lead after one.

The Nighthawks were able to go on top again in the third with an unearned run off an infield error and a double before a grounder to third plated the go-ahead run for a 3-2 UNG advantage.

The Mustangs answered right back in the bottom half of the frame as junior designated hitter Baylee Voigt launched her team-leading third home run of the season to score senior third baseman Katelyn Vinson and give the Mustangs the lead.

After Phillips' homer in the fourth, the Nighthawks began to pull away as a double to right field by second baseman Meredith Heyer scored three runs for UNG to cap off a four-run inning and put the No. 1 Nighthawks in front, 9-4.

MSU added a run in the bottom half of the inning as freshman shortstop Makenzi Harris recorded the first triple of the season for the Mustangs before sophomore catcher Amanda Thomas plated Harris with a single to left center for a 9-5 score.

In the sixth, an RBI single by Vinson drove in freshman second baseman Misty Muniz, who singled earlier in the inning, for a 10-6 ballgame. However, the Mustangs would be unable to mount a comeback in their final at bat with the Nighthawks coming away with their fourth-straight win.

Vinson led the Mustangs at the plate, hitting 3-for-4, while Voigt and Knox each added two hits and two RBI.

Redshirt freshman pitcher Peyton Helton (1-4) threw a complete game for the Mustangs, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits while fanning two batters. Macy Watkins earned the win for UNG, giving up five earned runs on 12 hits with one strikeout. All-American pitcher Courtney Poole recorded the save for the Nighthawks with four strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.

Midwestern State continues tournament play next weekend at the West Texas Invitational in Canyon. The Mustangs open up the three-day tournament Friday against No. 12 St. Mary's at 1:45 p.m. at Buffalo Sports Park.