Center Grove grad Caden Cornett among those impacted by Purdue Fort Wayne cutting baseball
Cornett, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, is working his way back from a November 2023 surgery to repair the labrum in his pitching shoulder. He made just two appearances this season, ⅓ of an inning in total. He talked with the staff about his goals for next season and what he needed to do to establish himself on the pitching staff.
He had no idea a text message Friday morning would derail his plans for the upcoming season.
"Nobody knew about the meeting," Cornett said. "We didn't know if any other team was (having a meeting). We heard softball was and we were like, 'Oh crap, this isn't good.'
"As soon as we walked into the meeting we saw everyone crying. ... The softball coach (Amber Bowman) our AD (Kelley Hartley Hutton). It was tough for her to tell us that you can't play baseball or softball anymore. It was rough. Not a fun meeting to be in."
PFW announced Friday that it was discounting its baseball and softball programs effective immediately. The decision, which includes an expected cost savings of upwards of $1 million, is directly related to $6 million in budget cuts the university announced Thursday, per a news release.
More: Purdue Fort Wayne eliminates baseball, softball programs amid university's financial cuts
"This is one of the saddest days in my 25 years as a Mastodon," Hartley Hutton said via new release. "We know this news will upset our student-athletes, alumni and fans. It was not made lightly, and we are committed to supporting those affected through this transition."
Cornett said he'd heard some rumblings about the baseball program being in trouble but never thought it would be shuttered.
"We didn't have the best season, but the year before we did good," Cornett said. "We thought we'd come back in the fall and get ready to play. We weren't expecting this at all."
The university said it will honor all athletes' wishes to transfer. Cornett, like many of his teammates with eligibility remaining, has already entered the transfer portal. Cornett hopes to find another Division I school to play baseball next season, but his situation is tricky. Baseball coaches prioritize experience in the transfer portal and with just ⅓ of an inning pitched over two seasons, schools may need to rely on his stats at Center Grove to gauge his potential. Cornett had a 4-0 record with 1.49 ERA and .163 opponent batting average and 39 strikeouts over 37⅔ innings as a senior with the Trojans.
"It was really difficult not being able to play," Cornett said. "I was supposed to come in and make an impact, have a big role on the team. Tearing my shoulder right when I came in wasn't the plan.
"I've been busting my butt to get back and healthy. With no innings, it's kind of hard to transfer. (Schools) don't know how I'm going to be coming back. I'd like to stay at the Division I level, but I know it's hard to trust a guy who has zero college experience."
Cornett's roommate, fellow Center Grove pitcher Ben Murphy, is also working his way back from injury. Cornett said the mood within the program is one of shock and sadness. Players have been staying in their rooms since hearing the news. He added that he felt like the team had a strong bond and a chance to improve on this season's 11-42 record. Now he'll never get the chance.
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