Suddenly, top-seed BYU is hoping history repeats itself.
The Cougars dropped their West Coast Conference Tournament opener to No. 4 Loyola Marymount, 4-1, Thursday at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, California.
Two years ago, BYU lost its opening game to LMU, then improbably won four consecutive elimination games to capture the WCC Tournament title and earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
For the Cougars to capture another tournament title, they will have to follow the same path in the double-elimination tournament.
On Thursday, LMU pitcher Codie Paiva threw a complete game five-hitter and struck out 11 BYU batters.