WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Holy Cross Crusaders erupted for seven runs over the final two innings to break open a tight game and secure a 10-4 victory over the Army Black Knights in Patriot League baseball action Sunday afternoon and evening at Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field.

The game, witnessed by 566 fans, saw Holy Cross even the three-game weekend series after the teams split the first two contests. The win improved the Crusaders’ record to 6-12 overall, while Army fell to 7-10.

For six innings, the contest was a tense, one-run affair defined by early Army opportunism and dominant relief pitching from Holy Cross. The Black Knights struck first, capitalizing on Crusaders’ mistakes in the opening frame. After two walks and an error loaded the bases, Carter Hewitt delivered a two-run double down the left field line. William Parker then scored on a sacrifice fly by Thomas Schreck, staking Army to a 3-0 lead despite registering just one hit.

Holy Cross answered immediately in the top of the third. Nick Spaner singled, Owen Stelzer was hit by a pitch, and both runners advanced on a double steal. Braden Connors then grounded out to second base, driving in Spaner to put the Crusaders on the board.

The Crusaders took the lead for good in the fifth inning against Army starter Trey Ates. With two on, CJ Egrie singled through the left side to score Spaner. After a pitching change, Connors singled to right field, driving in Stelzer. Egrie then came home on an RBI groundout by Van Coughlin, giving Holy Cross a 4-3 advantage. All three runs in the inning were charged to Ates, who took the loss after allowing four hits and three earned runs over four innings.

The most important phase of the game was the suffocating performance by the Holy Cross bullpen, which combined for six hitless innings from the fourth through the ninth. After starter Derek Volz allowed three runs, only one earned, over three innings, a parade of Crusaders relievers silenced the Black Knights’ bats. Marco Citro, Brock Graf, Henry Harding and Jake Lenahan provided flawless relief, with Graf earning the win. The quintet racked up 11 strikeouts and allowed just three walks, repeatedly snuffing out any potential Army rally and protecting the slim lead.

Holy Cross broke the game open in the eighth. Alex Sandell walked and scored on a sacrifice bunt by John LaFleur. Ryan Grundy, who had entered the game earlier at third base, then scored on a single by Spaner. Egrie followed with another RBI single, pushing the lead to 7-4.

The Crusaders put the game out of reach in the ninth. With two on, Grundy laced a two-run double to right field. He later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Egrie, who finished 2 for 4 with a walk and three RBIs. Grundy went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in a reserve role.

Army’s final threat came in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out against Harding. Jake Lenahan entered and induced a fly out and a game-ending fielder’s choice to seal the victory.

The outcome defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a narrow 5-4 Holy Cross win, while its ELO system gave Army a 65.2% probability of victory.

Holy Cross next travels to face Bryant on Tuesday. Army will host Massachusetts on Tuesday.