Baker’s final home wrestling of the season was expected to be an exciting, tough match.

The action didn’t disappoint the fans, although the outcome did.

Baker, ranked fifth in the Class 4A rankings, built a 30-12 lead with seven matches remaining.

Nyssa, ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A ranks, then won six of the next seven matches to take a 39-36 decision. Baker’s lone win during that stretch was a forfeit win by Gauge Bloomer.

“The close matches hurt us,” said Baker coach Brandon Young.

Young said a key match for the Bulldogs came at 182 pounds.

Baker’s Hon Rushton led 3-0 after two rounds. But Rushton was assessed two penalty points in the third round for stalling. His Nyssa opponent then earned a two-point takedown with 1 second left to take a 4-3 decision.

“Hon needs to get into those kind of pressure matches,” Young said.

“It’s not something that you can recreate in practice. He’s just going to have to learn from these kinds of matches if he wants to work toward a state title.”

Pins by Gavin Stone at 106 pounds, and Alex Duran (132) and a trio of Nyssa forfeits gave Baker a 30-12 lead midway through the match.

Nyssa then took over.

“Nyssa is especially tough from 152 to heavyweight,” Young said.

“They’re animals.”

Baker travels to Grant Union today.

Nyssa 39, Baker 36

106 — Stone (B) pinned Riojas. 113 — I. Duran (B) by forfeit. 120 — Peterson (N) pinned M. Duran. 126 — Niehaus (B) by forfeit. 132 — A. Duran (B) pinned Murdock. 138 — Anderson (B) by forfeit. 145 — McDowell (N) dec. Eskew, 6-5. 152 — Cleaver (N) pinned Davila. 160 — Woodruff (N) dec. Feldmeier, 7-0. 170 — Bloomer (B) by forfeit. 182 — Simpson (N) dec. Rushton, 4-3. 195 — Flores (N) pinned Ritter. 220 — Lopex (N) pinned Yervasi. 285 — Sanchez (N) pinned Gonzalez.