Sacramento State’s normally reliable relief corp faltered Sunday in the rubber match against Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

With the Hornets up 5-3 in the sixth inning, senior relief pitcher Hunter Greenwood came into the game and quickly got the first out. He then allowed the next four batters to reach base via a hit by pitch, two singles and a double, which scored three runs.

Grand Canyon would score two more runs in the seventh off of freshman relief pitcher Austin Ragsdale, and would hold on for the 8-6 victory.

Greenwood has had a rocky stretch of late giving up four runs in his last two outings, and he has not made consecutive appearances where he has given up zero runs. His earned run average has jumped up to 7.36 in 14.2 innings pitched.

The Hornets did show late life as they had multiple baserunners on in the eighth and ninth innings.

In the eighth inning, Sac State had bases loaded with two outs, but were unable to score as junior designated hitter Kyle Moses grounded into a fielders choice. The ninth was more of the same, but the Hornets managed to get one run across with a single from senior designated hitter Clay Cederquist.

Sophomore shortstop Scotty Burcham came up with runners on first and second with one out, but grounded into a double play to end the game.

Junior first baseman Rhys Hoskins’s power was on display as he hit his sixth home run of the season. Hoskins finished the game 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.

Leading Grand Canyon was first baseman Mike Pomeroy who went 3-for4 with two runs scored.

This was just the second loss for the Hornets in Western Athletic Conference play, the first coming to Grand Canyon on Friday. Sac State is still on top of the standings with a 21-14,10-2 record in the WAC.

The Hornets will next take the field Tuesday against UC Davis in Causeway Cup action. First pitch is at 2:30 p.m.