Second baseman Sierra Mutschler's bat came through in a big way for the Hope College softball team. The sophomore from Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS) hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in a 3-2 win against Washington & Jefferson, Pennsylvania on Monday in Clermont, Florida.

Mutschler then homered for the first time this season in a 4-3 loss to Wellesley, Massachusetts. Hope is now 4-2 on the season.

Mutschler snapped a 2-2 tie by driving home centerfielder Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) with a one-out lineout to left. Anderson singled to lead off the inning and moved into scoring position with a stolen base and a groundout.

Leftfielder Noelle Jackson of Grand Blanc, Michigan (Grand Blanc HS) tied the score at 2-2 with a second-inning double to left that plated third baseman Katrina Ellis of Goodrich, Michigan (Goodrich HS) and pinch-runner Alex Knorp of Livonia, Michigan (Stevenson HS).

Winning pitcher Kate Laverty of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Eaton Rapids HS) scattered eight hits and two runs over six innings. She struck out two.

Reliever Katie Singer of Howell, Michigan (Hartland HS) struck out two in a scoreless seventh for the save.

Against Wellesley, Mutschler blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fifth that knocked in rightfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS).

Catcher Hayley Ritsema of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian HS) hit a leadoff homer in the seventh, but the Flying Dutch could not capitalize further and stranded runners at second and third. Hope left 12 runners on base.

The Flying Dutch to action on Tuesday, March 22 with games against Saint Benedict, Minnesota and Hood, Maryland.