Sierra Mutschler's first home run as a Hope College softball player came at a perfect time.

The freshman from Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), keyed a 6-5, eight-inning win for the Flying Dutch against Wittenberg, Ohio, on Saturday, with a two-run blast in the top of the eighth that snapped a 4-4 tie.

Hope then dropped its second game of the day, 3-1 to William Paterson. The Flying Dutch are now 2-2 on the season.

Mutschler's one-out homer drove in senior Peyton Wells of Rockford, Michigan (Michigan). Wells started the inning on second base with extra-inning rules in attempt and moved to third on a sacrifice.

Reliever Natalie Hiser of Westland, Michigan (Livonia Churchill HS), made the lead standup despite giving up a run during Wittenberg's half of the eighth.

Hiser (1-1) allowed two hits and two runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief. She struck out four.

Hope took a 4-3 lead during the seventh on a two-run single from senior Adalee Robertson of Flushing, Michigan (Flushing HS). Wittenberg (5-4) forced extra innings with a solo homer.

Against William Paterson (2-0), junior Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS), went 2-for-2 with a walk in her season debut.

Senior Kelsey Cooper of Romeo, Michigan (Romeo HS), contributed an RBI single. 

The Flying Dutch return to action on Monday, March 16, with a 1 p.m. game against Allegheny and a 3 p.m. game against Ripon in Clermont, Florida.