Butler's Korey Caudill rolls out of a hold against Greensburg Salem's Austin Shaw during their 126-pound match at North Allegheny Wednesday night. Caudill won the match, but Butler dropped a 36-28 team decision in the WPIAL playoffs.

WEXFORD — A third straight trip to the second round of the WPIAL Class AAA team playoffs avoided Butler's wrestlers Wednesday night.

Five pins from Greensburg Salem proved too much to overcome as the Golden Tornado fell 36-28 at North Allegheny High School.

The Golden Lions recorded falls at 106 pounds, 138, 160, 170 and 220. It was the 138-pound bout that got the team rolling.

Butler (15-4) had opened the match with wins via decision from Korey Caudill and Cody Houston at 126 and 132 pounds, respectively.

Trailing 6-0, the Lions sent Zach Mattucci to the mat to face Butler's Xavier Bennett.

A furious first period yielded a 6-5 lead for Mattucci, who took control by outscoring Bennett 9-1 in the second. The former finished the job with a pin 26 seconds into the final period.

“That bout was very important to us,” said Greensburg Salem coach Randy Parsley. “I thought Zach could win, but to get the fall there, it was big.”

It was one of three straight toss-up bouts that Butler coach Scott Stoner saw go to the Lions.

“At (138, 145 and 152), those were swing matches and very pivotal toward the outcome,” he said. “We weren't able to win any of them.”

The match at 145 had Butler's Jeremiah Bortmas trailing Zach Sistek 3-1 entering the final period. Bortmas managed an escape and a takedown with 1:20 left to take a 4-3 edge, but Sistek answered with a reversal with just 27 seconds remaining on the clock and he held on for the one-point win.

Grant Ferrari also lost a close battle at 152, a 7-5 defeat to Lenny Grebeck.

“Grant has been injured for much of the season, but came back to help us win the (Chartiers Valley) tournament last weekend,” said Stoner. “He had an opportunity to win tonight, but came up short.”

Two more losses at 160 and 170 put the Tornado down 24-6, but the team received a major decision from Ryan Hannon and a decision courtesy of Zach Weaver to cut the Lions' advantage to 24-13 with five bouts left.

Greensburg's Anthony Cable then pinned Nick Gibson early in the second period. It was a much-needed boost for the Lions (14-3).

“Anthony has been banged up lately, but I was expecting him to get the pin,” Parsley said.

Despite Damian Wheeler's pin at heavyweight that kept Butler alive — the lone fall of the night credited to the Tornado — the Lions sealed the match with Chris Eddins' pin of Max Stalnaker at 106.

“I thought Korey had a gutsy performance at 126 to start the night,” said Stoner. “He's wrestling hurt right now, but maintained control to get the win. Ryan (Hannon) also looked good.”

Butler wrestles at Gateway Wednesday.

Greensburg Salem 36, Butler 28(Match started at 126 pounds)106-Chris Eddins (GS) pinned Max Stalnaker, 3:51; 113-Connor Foust (B) dec. Lukas Mangery, 9-4; 120-Blake Caudill (B) won by forfeit; 126-Korey Caudill (B) dec. Austin Shaw, 4-2; 132-Cody Houston (B) dec. Graham Schaller, 7-5; 138-Zach Mattucci (GS) pinned Xavier Bennett, 4:34; 145-Zach Sistek (GS) dec. Jeremiah Bortmas, 5-4; 152-Lenny Grebeck (GS) dec. Grant Ferrari, 7-5; 160-Tyler Reinhart (GS) pinned Will Bortmas, :21; 170-Zach Voytek (GS) pinned Zach Raible, 1:34; 182-Ryan Hannon (B) major dec. Dan Walters, 8-0; 195-Zach Weaver (B) dec. Raistlen Willett, 12-5; 220-Anthony Cable (GS) pinned Nick Gibson, 2:33; Hwt.-Damian Wheeler (B) pinned Eric Ahrens, 1:47