NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — Thomas Zwirecki’s third-inning grand slam powered the Canisius Golden Griffins to a 7-5 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens on Friday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium, overcoming a strong statistical projection favoring the home team.

The Golden Griffins (3-7) were given just a 29.1% chance to win by Interstat’s ELO system, which projected a Delaware victory with a 70.9% probability and a simulated score of 6-2. Canisius defied those odds behind a powerful early offensive burst and combined shutout pitching from starter Felix Morin and reliever Sam Staerker.

The game’s decisive moment came in the top of the third inning with Canisius already leading 1-0. After singles by Grady Brown and Bennett Cox and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Zwirecki delivered the key blow. The first baseman launched a grand slam over the left-field wall off Delaware starter Ryan McLaughlin, clearing the bases and giving the Golden Griffins a commanding 6-0 advantage. Zwirecki finished 2 for 5 with the homer and four RBIs.

Delaware (5-9) chipped away at the deficit, scoring single runs in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings, but never managed to draw even. The Blue Hens capitalized on two Canisius errors and a passed ball to plate three unearned runs. Jeremy Wolf drove in two runs for Delaware, including a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Canisius added a crucial insurance run in the seventh on a Mason Cisco RBI single and a sacrifice fly by JC Spinosa, pushing the lead to 7-4. Delaware answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the frame on a Wolf groundout, making it 7-5, but would get no closer.

The pitching combination of Morin and Staerker proved overwhelming for Delaware hitters. Morin, named the top star for Canisius, earned the win with five innings of work, allowing two unearned runs on five hits while striking out five. He has now thrown 10 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two starts, dating back to a win at Towson on Feb. 27. Staerker was dominant in relief, tossing four perfect innings and striking out five to earn the save. The duo combined to allow just five hits and retired the final 10 Blue Hens batters in order.

Delaware’s McLaughlin took the loss, surrendering six runs on four hits over four innings. Reliever Jackson Hulcher provided a bright spot for the Blue Hens with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.

Canisius tallied 10 hits in the game, with Cox adding a 2-for-4 performance. Delaware managed seven hits, with Evan Bouldin reaching base three times via a double and two walks.

The teams continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon.