Perfect game by LMU pitcher downs Cougars, 2-0

LOS ANGELES (March 25, 2017)—Right-handed junior Cory Abbott threw a perfect game to give Loyola Marymount a 2-0 victory over BYU baseball on Saturday afternoon.

Abbott struck out 13 Cougars to up his record to 4-1 as LMU improved to 13-10 and 4-2 in the West Coast Conference. Abbott’s no-hitter was the first perfect game against BYU and the first no-hitter since San Diego State blanked the Cougars in both 1966 and 1964.

“Cory Abbott just carved us up today,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “I feel bad for Hayden (Rogers) because he threw a gem as well.”

Lefty Hayden Rogers of BYU did not pitch a bad complete game either, throwing a two-hitter through five innings until LMU scored its first run from a pair of singles in the sixth frame. Rogers threw 89 pitches compared to Abbott’s 106 pitches, which included a combination of an 86 mph slider and 92 mph fastball all on the black corners of home plate.

While the Cougars were held hitless, they did turn a couple nice defensive plays.

Rogers made a high stab on the mound  in the second inning to throw out the LMU runner at first. Abbott duplicated that play to rob Brock Hale of a hit to end the seventh inning and keep his no-hitter intact.

Cougar left fielder Keaton Kringlen turned a double play when he caught a fly ball, then threw out the Lion runner heading back to second base to end the fourth inning.  Earlier in the fourth frame, Hale worked Abbott to a full count before striking out.

Other than Hale and Colton Shaver working to full counts in the second and fourh innings, respectively, pinch-hitter Tanner Chauncey was the only other Cougar batter who drew three balls from Abbott and got a full count before striking out to end the game.

BYU, now 10-11 overall and 1-2 in the WCC, takes a break from league action, next playing at Smith’s Ballpark against Utah in Salt Lake City on Tuesday evening.