WORCESTER, Mass. (Interstat) — The Holy Cross Crusaders erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the third inning, highlighted by a decisive grand slam from shortstop Owen Stelzer, to overpower the Army Black Knights 16-6 in the first game of a Patriot League doubleheader on Saturday.

The offensive outburst transformed an early deficit into a commanding lead from which Army never recovered. The game was called after seven innings due to the conference’s 10-run rule.

Army struck first in the opening inning. Leadoff hitter Chris Barr walked, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Thomas Schreck, giving the Black Knights a 1-0 advantage.

Holy Cross answered with a single run in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Grundy, but the game was turned on its head in the third. Trailing 1-0, the Crusaders sent 11 men to the plate. The inning was fueled by patient at-bats and timely hitting. After a leadoff double from Braden Connors and a walk, Simon Landry delivered an RBI single. John LaFleur followed with a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Stelzer stepped in and launched a grand slam over the left field fence, clearing the bases and vaulting Holy Cross to an 8-1 lead. The slam was the pivotal moment of the contest, shifting all momentum to the home side.

The Black Knights chipped away with two runs in the fourth on an RBI double from Zac Farrell and a sacrifice fly from Barr, and another in the fifth on a solo home run by catcher Jack Quinlan, making it 8-4. However, Holy Cross responded immediately and relentlessly.

The Crusaders added three runs in the fourth inning, keyed by a two-run double from catcher Van Coughlin. They then broke the game open with a five-run fifth, featuring a two-run triple by Alex Sandell and another RBI single from Landry. A wild pitch in the seventh inning brought home the final run to enact the mercy rule.

Stelzer, the top star for Holy Cross, finished 1 for 4 with the game-changing four RBIs on his grand slam. Landry reached base in all four plate appearances, going 2 for 2 with two RBIs and three walks. LaFleur drove in three runs on two hits.

On the mound, Holy Cross used a committee approach effectively. Starter Pedro Leon worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out five to earn the win. Relievers Aidan Gilbert and Henry Harding combined for the final 3 2/3 innings, with Harding striking out three over 1 2/3 scoreless frames to close it out.

For Army, which managed nine hits, Schreck and Carter Hewitt each had two hits. The Black Knights used five pitchers, with starter Kevin Reavey taking the loss after surrendiring seven earned runs in 2 1/3 innings. Reliever Jakob Vanderhave recorded just two outs while allowing one earned run.

The victory improved Holy Cross to 12-16 overall, while Army fell to 15-13. The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose simulator had predicted an 8-5 Army win and whose ELO system gave the Black Knights a 60.2% probability of victory.

The two teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.