WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Senior third baseman Katelyn Vinson and junior shortstop Tammy Viliamu each posted two hits and three RBI to lead Midwestern State to a 13-3 run-rule victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville in five innings in Friday's series opener.

Redshirt freshman pitcher Peyton Helton allowed five hits, three earned runs and two walks while fanning three batters to improve to 9-9 on the season. Junior pitcher Tayler Jerrick came on in relief in the fifth inning, allowing one hit to help the Mustangs to the win.

Midwestern State (27-26, 12-17 LSC) erased a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on two hits and an error. Vinson led off the inning with a solo home run to left field for her 66th career bomb to even the game at 1-1. Senior center fielder Haley Howerton then came around to score after a walk, stolen base and RBI single from junior left fielder Taylor Bermudes. Sophomore catcher Amanda Thomas reached on an infield error to plate Bermudes, who moved to third after her single on the throw home attempting to beat out Howerton.

A solo shot in the second inning cut the Texas A&M-Kingsville (21-31, 10-19 LSC) deficit to 3-2 with shortstop Alexei Gonzalez sending a pitch over the left field wall.

The Mustangs loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning with three-straight walks to lead off before an error at second plated the first two runs of a three-run frame. An RBI double down the left field line for junior designated hitter Baylee Voigt capped off the inning for the Mustangs with a 6-2 advantage through two.

MSU stretched its lead to 10-2 in the third, recording four hits in the inning. A Vinson double plated Thomas and Viliamu, who walked and singled earlier in the inning, for an 8-2 Mustangs lead. Junior right fielder Erin Knox then belted out a two-RBI single to center field to score two additional runs for the Maroon and Gold.

Midwestern continued to pull away from the Javelinas in the fourth with Viliamu blasting a three-run home run to center field to complete the MSU scoring for the day.

Sarah Gilbert was handed the loss for the Javelinas, allowing seven hits, seven earned runs and five walks in 2.2 innings. Catcher Roxy Chapa posted two hits to lead TAMUK.