YORK — York Cougars pitcher Keith Davis schooled the Fairfield Central Griffins on Tuesday, teaching them how many steps it took to get from home plate to the visitors’ dugout.

Davis, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior, threw a perfect game in York’s 16-0 Region 4-AAA victory. He accounted for 14 of 15 outs in the game called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

“I would have liked to have gone seven to see what I could do, but I didn’t know I had the perfect game until the final out,” said Davis, who signed to play at USC-Sumter next year. “Nobody mentioned it, but when I got the last batter out on a swinging foul ball, my teammates charged the mound.

“They were yelling and hugging me. I asked what was going on, and they said I’d pitched a perfect game. Two more innings would have been good, but I’m happy with the outcome. Our offense did a great job hitting the ball.”

The Cougars got 14 hits, including a Matt Bostic home run.

Davis, a right-hander, said he stuck with two pitches, curve and fastball. He struck out the first batter and retired the second on a lazy foul pop behind first. He got on a roll and struck out the next 13 batters he faced.

“He’s a good player and will do well in college,” York coach Scot Kiggans said. “He was recruited as a pitcher/catcher, but he pitches and plays infield for us. When they (USC-Sumter) see he can hit and play the infield, I expect them to play him at the corner positions.

“First perfect game I’ve ever seen. Keith has been with me since the eighth grade, so you can’t imagine how proud I am of him.”

Barry Byers 329-4099