Jeffrey D. Allred,
FILE: BYU's Maverick Buffo pitches against Pepperdine in Provo on Thursday, April 13, 2017. Buffo earned the win on the mound against Loyola Marymount in the West Coast Conference on Friday night, pitching 8 1/3 innings, surrendered seven hits and four runs while striking out eight.
BYU avenged a Thursday night loss to Loyola Marymount and advanced to the West Coast Conference championship game with a 5-4 victory over the the No. 2 seeded Lions late Friday night at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, California.
The Cougars staved off elimination twice Friday, starting with an 8-4 win over No.