FLORENCE, Ala. --- The Mississippi College softball team fell victim to a 5-run fifth inning in a 6-2 loss to #6 North Alabama on Sunday afternoon at the UNA Softball Complex.

The Lady Choctaws (28-15, 15-12 GSC) were cruising along against the nationally-ranked Lions (40-5), taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning after freshman Alexia Harmon led off with a single and came home to score on a wild pitch. After moving to second on an error, Harmon advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Kimmie Conley.

Freshman Penny Nichols (13-6) made the lead stand up through four innings as she retired nine straight Lions after allowing a leadoff single to open the game. She pitched around a one-out double in the fourth to give MC the 1-0 advantage through four frames.

The Lady Choctaws would have a chance to extend the lead in the fifth inning as senior Madison Oliver led off with a single and Conley reached on an error to put runners at first and second with one out. MC was unable to convert and kept the lead by the slimmest of margins.

The Lions would get their high-powered offense going in their half of the fifth, scoring the game-tying run on a single by Mackenzie Roberts.

Pinch-hitter Shelby Woodard, dealt the big blow for UNA, hitting a three-run home run for the second straight day to push the lead out to 4-1. The Lions would add another run on a wild pitch to take a 5-1 lead through five innings.

After UNA added a solo home run in the sixth, they would take a 6-1 lead into the final inning.

The Lady Choctaws put up a fight in the seventh as Harmon doubled and came home to score on an RBI single by Conley. Senior Lauren Mulligan doubled with two outs but was stranded at second to end the game.

Junior Haley Thompson led the MC offense with two singles and stolen bases, while Harmon also had two hits on the day. Senior Carlie Sargent recorded the final five outs for MC, striking out four in 1.2 innings.

Raven Cole (21-1) earned her second win of the series, allowing seven hits with five strikeouts on the day. Bailey Nelson and Harlie Barkley led UNA with two hits apiece.

The Lady Choctaws will be back in action on next weekend for their final road Gulf South Conference series of the season, traveling to Huntsville, Ala. to face UAH. The doubleheader on Saturday begins at 2:00 p.m. with a single game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

MC was scheduled to play a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at home against Mississippi Valley State, but the twin-bill has been canceled.