A pair of seven-run innings propelled the 21st-ranked Hope College softball team to a sweep at Saint Mary's on Saturday and into a second-place tie in the MIAA standings.

The Flying Dutch won 9-2 in seven innings and 12-4 in six to raise their record to 25-5 overall and 10-2 in league games. 

Hope is tied with Alma for second place — one game behind Trine. Alma plays at Trine on Tuesday while the Flying Dutch host Calvin.

In Game 1, freshman second baseman Sierra Mutschler of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), capped a seven-run top of the seventh with a two-run homer. The rally snapped a 2-2 tie after Saint Mary's pulled even with a run.

Mutschler's ninth home run of the season puts her in second place all-time at Hope. She is one behind the school record belonging to Carrie Scott (2001) and Kelli Duimstra (2009)

Mutschler's team-leading 35 RBIs is tied for eighth in the Flying Dutch's single-season history.

Reliever Olivia Vacik of Bolingbrook, Illinois (Neuqua Valley HS), earned the win after pitching the sixth. Vacik (4-0) stranded runners at second and third by retiring Saint Mary's batters on a popout and a flyout.

In Game 2, Hope jumped ahead 7-0 with seven runs during the bottom of the second. Sophomore rightfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS) delivered a two-run single, while senior third baseman Kelsey Cooper of Romeo, Michigan (Romeo HS), added a two-run double.

Adams finished with a game-high four RBIs after a two-run double during the sixth.

Hope's 8 and 9 hitters went a combined 6-for-6 with five runs scored and six RBI. Junior shortstop Jenna Maury of Lawton, Michigan (Lawton HS), had three hits and three runs scored.

Winning pitcher Natalie Hiser of Westland, Michigan (Livonia Churchill HS), improved to 8-0 by scattering six hits and four runs over five innings.

The Flying Dutch return to action on Monday when they travel to Cornerstone for a 4 p.m. nonleague doubleheader.