LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — Jonathan Gonzalez Perez launched two home runs and drove in seven runs Saturday, powering the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks to an 11-4 victory over the Delaware State Hornets in a Northeast Conference matchup at Soldier Field.

The offensive outburst, which included a 10-hit attack, helped the Hawks even the weekend series after a one-run loss on Friday and improved their record to 6-24. Delaware State fell to 3-27.

The most important part of the game came in the middle innings, when Gonzalez Perez single-handedly broke open a scoreless pitchers’ duel. The Hawks’ catcher erased the deadlock in the top of the third inning. After Julian Jimenez singled and Ansel Carson was hit by a pitch, Gonzalez Perez connected for a three-run homer to give Maryland-Eastern Shore a 3-0 lead.

He was far from finished. In the fourth inning, with the Hawks leading 4-1, Gonzalez Perez came to bat with the bases loaded. He delivered again, crushing a grand slam for his second home run of the afternoon, extending the lead to 8-1 and effectively putting the game out of reach. All seven of his RBIs came in those two at-bats.

His performance overshadowed a strong start from Delaware State reliever Shane Carter, who entered in the fourth inning and provided stability. Carter pitched three and one-third scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three after the Hawks had built their large lead.

Maryland-Eastern Shore starter Richard De Jesus earned the win, pitching seven innings and allowing four runs, though only one was earned, on nine hits. He struck out two. The Hawks’ bullpen, Darrius Brown and Zeke Adderley, combined for two perfect innings of relief to close out the game.

Delaware State scored its first run in the third inning on an RBI groundout by Santino Harwood. The Hornets added three more in the seventh on an RBI double by Andrew Shute, an RBI double by Caleb King and a sacrifice fly by Rosnell Lewis.

The result defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring 2-1 win for Maryland-Eastern Shore, while its ELO system gave Delaware State a 62.3% probability of victory.

For Gonzalez Perez, the game marked a dramatic return to form. He was hitless in four at-bats in Friday’s loss to the Hornets but had recorded hits in his three previous games, including a five-RBI performance on April 4.

The two teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon in Leipsic.