JEFFERSON TWP — For Robert Hays, Wednesday night’s match against Knoch was memorable.

The Butler junior, who had never wrestled before this season, picked up his first career win at 160 pounds with a first-period pin of Thomas Peiffer as the Golden Tornado downed the Knights, 53-12.

“Robbie’s a guy who came out this year and obviously it’s a monumental thing to get your first win,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “He never wrestled before and he’s been filling in for us at 170, but we left him down at 160 tonight.”

Hays’ victory was one of the bright spots for the Golden Tornado on an uneven night.

Butler picked up six wins via forfeit and also got a pin from Scotty Dietrich, but Stoner was not pleased by his team’s overall performance.

“Certain matches, we just didn’t have mental composure,” Stoner said. “It’s just disappointing.”

Stoner was particularly disappointed in 170-pounder Caleb Baxter, who initially won an 11-4 decision over Eric Green.

But Baxter was disqualified after the bout for allegedly pushing Green and then pulling forcefully away from the referee.

Not only did he lose the three points he would have gained for Butler, the team was also deducted three points for the misconduct.

Baxter will not be able to wrestle in Butler’s next match Wednesday at Highlands.

It was a physical bout with Baxter needing injury time after he was illegally slammed to the mat by Green.

“To be honest with you, if you’re going to do that stuff — there’s no place for it and there’s no need to,” said Stoner, who said he didn’t witness the shove. “Yeah, the kid slammed you earlier in the match, but you shouldn’t have been there in the first place. It’s really disappointing because it’s a sign of the lack of discipline we have in certain situations.

“The match is over. Get up and walk away.”

Nate McDonald scored a lot of points for Butler at 132 pounds, winning a 22-8 decision over Kolbi Brew.

But McDonald could never finish Brew off.

“Nate made about 25 shots to took the guy down, but never moved up to recognize the half nelson and put the guy away,” Stoner said. “Part of our goal tonight was to take down some guys and get confident in doing some things, but whenever you take a guy down so many times in a row and never move up to get the half, it becomes something where you’re not getting very much out of it. You’re just knocking the kid over.”

Scotty Dietrich’s pin came as a result of his increased attention to offense.

“Scotty needed to pick it up,” Stoner said. “His goal tonight was to be more offensive.”

The wrestlers Knoch did have on the mat Wednesday night fared well for the most part.

And most are young.

Freshman Kameron Grassi won a 7-0 decision over Colton Spohn at 120 pounds and another freshman, Brendan Hinchberger, won an 8-4 decision over Justin Stewart at 152.

“The only thing I can say about them is they are very coachable, they wrestle very hard and aggressive and are bringing more of that to this program,” said Knoch coach Steve Carney. “They’re doing everything right and that work ethic is rubbing off on everyone in the room.”

Knoch has another freshman at 132 in Guy Deleonardis, who is injured.

Senior Max Freyermuth picked up Knoch’s only fall, pinning Sam Dietrich with 20 seconds remaining in their bout.

Freyermuth is the only senior.

“We have a very young team,” Carney said. “We’re just looking to fill more spots and get more guys. You’re not going to beat a Butler with giving up six forfeits. Our attitude is just to go and make sure the guys are making a name for themselves and showing the school what it’s all about. And they’re doing that.”

Butler 53, Knoch 12

(Match started at heavyweight)

106-Cam Weisenstein (B) by forfeit; 113-Isaiah Christy (B) maj. dec. Hunter Oskin 12-3; 120-Kameron Grassi (K) dec. Colton Spohn 7-0; 126-Jack Codispot (B) by forfeit; 132-Nate McDonald (B) maj. dec.Kolbi Brew 22-8; 138-Scott Dietrich (B) pinned Mitch Walter; 145-Max Freyermuth (K) pinned Sam Dietrich; 152-Brendan Hinchberger (K) dec. Justin Stewart 8-4; 160-Robert Hays (B) pinned Thomas Peiffer 1:58; 170-Eric Green (K) by disqualification; 182-Jacob White (B) by forfeit; 195-Tom Greaves (B) by forfeit; 220-Saavon Mosby (B) by forfeit; Hwt.-Seth McCrea (B) by forfeit