A short-handed Issaquah wrestling team took the hand it was dealt Tuesday, earning a split in its first dual matches of the season.

The Eagles defeated host school Redmond 48-31, before falling to Woodinville 42-26.

“The leaders did what they were supposed to do,” said Issaquah head coach Kirk Hyatt, noting academic reasons and injuries left him without wrestlers in two weight classes.

Issaquah opened its dual season strong, pouncing on Redmond. Senior heavyweight Dan Bressler started a wave of four consecutive pins. The 285-pounder reversed the hold of the Mustang’s Matt Carey and rolled him onto his back with 52 seconds remaining in the second round.

Senior Dalton Baunsgard (112) pinned Catherine Kelly 1 minute, 8 seconds into the first round of his match. Junior Jordan Tanner (125) followed with a pin of Curtis Adolphson 53 seconds into the first round, and Ben Tickman (130) pinned Ari Shriger 1:35 into the first round. Max Tickman (103) and Brandon Pearson (119) earned forfeits in between, giving Issaquah a 36-4 lead out of the gates. Seniors Kyle Bichich (145) and Jon White (160) also earned pins to round out the scoring for the Eagles.

Issaquah carried its success over to its second match, taking an early 16-0 lead over Woodinville. Bressler started the match off with his second pin of the day, earning another reversal to a pin — this time over RJ Harris.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen him win two matches in a row in a while,” Hyatt said. “He’s wrestling really good, he’s in shape.” A forfeit win at 103 pounds and a 9-0 major decision from Baunsgard gave Issaquah its early lead. Ben Tickman pinned Kevin Komata with 1:06 left in the second round for a 22-6 Eagle lead, but the Falcons rattled off five straight wins, including two pins, two decisions and a forfeit. Junior Tyler Volk (171) earned an 11-1 major decision to round out the scoring for Issaquah.

Woodinville only had one match on Tuesday. Hyatt said the double-dual format is becoming more common, and it wasn’t much of a disadvantage for his squad.

“Our guys are used to wrestling in tournaments so we should be ready for that,” he said. “But they do get to sit out and watch us wrestle so that is an advantage.”

Tuesday’s KingCo 4A matches were the first for Issaquah, which had primarily competed in tournaments. The Eagles faced Eastlake last night for their third dual match of the year.