Center Grove grad Caden Cornett among those impacted by Purdue Fort Wayne cutting baseball
Purdue Fort Wayne redshirt freshman pitcher and Center Grove grad Caden Cornett had his exit meeting with the PFW coaching staff Thursday afternoon, shortly after the team returned from the 2025 Horizon League Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
How teaching himself a 'life lesson' took this Butler basketball lifer to a new role
INDIANAPOLIS — When junior guard Ethan McComb got a text from Butler basketball coach Thad Matta summoning him to his office, he didn't know what the meeting was about. He knew he didn't do anything wrong, but when he arrived and the entire coaching staff was there, his confusion remained. Luckily for the Center Grove grad, Matta and his staff didn't leave McComb hanging in suspense for long. "They told me they wanted to bump me up to scholarship for this coming year," McComb said. "It was a big surprise, and it was really special having them all in there. "I was a little nervous, but I could tell from the vibe in the room it wasn't anything bad before they even said anything." McComb played for former Butler guard Zach Hahn at Center Grove. McComb helped the Trojans go 22-3 during his senior season, averaging 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from 3. He had opportunities to play at the NAIA level after high school, but once the chance to join Butler arose, he knew he couldn't pass it up. McComb's mother, Jenni, is a Butler alumnus. The McCombs are Butler season ticket holders and Ethan grew up going to Butler basketball camps. Life as a walk-on isn't glamorous, but McComb was willing to make the sacrifices necessary to a part of the program. "I look at it as a life lesson," McComb said of being a walk-on. "Putting the team above myself. Anyone can do that for a day or a week or two, but over the course of a season or multiple seasons, coming in every single day knowing that your number may not get called, but what you do every day has an impact on winning. "You can make a great impact on all your teammates every day by showing up with a great attitude and effort, communicating and doing all the little things like that." McComb joined Butler as a preferred walk-on for the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-1 guard played in 13 games over the last two seasons, scoring 13 points. Heading into his third year with the Bulldogs, McComb and fellow junior Finley Bizjack are the longest tenured players on the roster. McComb becomes Butler's 14th scholarship player. Former walk-on Connor O'Guinn is no longer with the program, meaning Butler will go into next season with 14 players. In McComb, Butler has a reliable shooter and a guard who operates like a coach on the floor because he hopes to make a career in coaching after his playing days are over. "It shows that they value you as a contributor to the team," Hahn said. "Sometimes we forget that the most important people are the people who make it feel like a team. Ethan definitely instills those values. I know he follows 'The Butler Way' to a tee, and he grew up wanting to play there. ... And I'm sure the coaches can count on him for anything that they need. "His IQ is one of his best attributes. Even from a young age he's a great leader by example. He's turned into a very vocal leader and those characteristics carry over nicely into being a head coach." McComb knows the team must come together quickly as 10 incoming players work to integrate themselves into Matta's system. With one day of practice under their belts, McComb is already seeing a return to The Butler Way.
Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
How faith anchors Center Grove infielder Gannon Grant, has Trojans eyeing sectional title
GREENWOOD – When a 13-year-old Cal Schembra got exhausted by his parents arguing and wanted an escape place, he hung out with Center Grove baseball teammate Gannon Grant. As Schembra's parents headed toward divorce, Grant's presence and loyalty to his Christian faith kept Schembra afloat. 'He was there for me during that hard time,' Schembra said after Center Grove (24-4) defeated Perry Meridian 9-0 in Saturday's IHSAA Class 4A baseball sectional semifinals. 'That jolted my faith.' Entering Saturday's contest, Grant led the Trojans with a .386 batting average. Despite going 0-for-4 against Perry Meridian, the Tennessee recruit's teammates had his back. Center Grove maintained a comfortable 2-0 lead through the first four innings before scoring three runs at the top of the 5th to take a commanding 5-0 lead. With the game arguably out of reach, the Trojans kept attacking in the seventh. Schembra opened the final inning with a double before two consecutive singles from Carson Bush and Cayden Jones drove in the senior outfielder. A ground rule double from Hudson Stewart brought in Bush and Jones before a sacrifice fly three batters later drove in the game's final run. Even during rough performances like Saturdays, Grant still tries to thank God because 'he gave me the ability to play this game another day and I won't take that for granted.' Grant's family raised him and his three siblings in church. Grant's affinity for praying at family dinners when he was younger earned him the nickname 'PG' or pastor Gannon. Not much has changed since he enrolled at Center Grove. Grant often initiates prayer during team dinners, and when teammates have questions about Christianity, they flock to their junior infielder. 'Wherever he is sitting at team dinners, many people sit,' said Grant's brother, Grady, who also plays on the Center Grove baseball team. 'We all follow him. He's one of the team's leaders and when he trusts God, many people like to follow him. It's awesome because he does big things. I want to be like him. His faith keeps me responsible for my faith and keeps me on top of everything.' Though an example to many, Grant acknowledged managing sport and his spiritual life isn't easy. Grant, Schembra and a few other teammates attend a weekly bible study for Center Glove student-athletes to remain accountable and navigate mental hardships associated with playing sports. 'There's going to be lots of ups and downs,' Grant said. 'Especially when you go to a big school, there's going to be a lot of struggles and you got to know God is there. Keeping him in your corner is a big thing.' Trojans coach Keith Hatfield praised Grant for his confident demeanor. While he admitted some may perceive it as arrogance, Hatfield knows the young man's self-belief isn't rooted in pride. 'His beliefs give him more confidence than anything,' Hatfield said. 'It gives him a comfort to carry himself positively. Some may call it cocky, but it's a comfortable confidence.' Saturday's victory gave Center Grove its 16th win in its past 18 games. Grady said he believes the 'aspect of faith is going to carry us very far in the tournament.' More: Brotherly glove: Gannon, Grady Grant give Center Grove baseball talented duo up the middle Before Center Grove and Franklin Central (7-19) battle for the sectional title Monday, Grant will look at the hand-written cross in his glove. As the national anthem serenades through the Trojans' stadium, the Division I prospect will say a prayer and tell God, 'Everything I do is for you.' 'God is a big deal in my life and that's my testimony,' Grant said. 'He's blessed me and I work hard toward that with the gift he's given me.'
Indianapolis Star
29-05-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Kiley Renick 'brings people with her.' When she has that command, she's 'a force to be reckoned with'
MOORESVILLE — Kiley Renick silently packed up her things and left the visitors' dugout. It was an unseasonably chilly, damp night in Mooresville and the mood on that side of the field was understandably somber, with the Franklin Central softball team still reeling from a heartbreaking 3-0 loss to Center Grove in the Class 3A Sectional 12 championship game. Before reuniting with her family, Renick walked down the third base line towards left field. There, she was met by coach Erica Glasener, who tearfully wrapped the junior pitcher in a hug, before talking with her one-on-one for a few minutes. "I know a loss like that is hard, especially on a pitcher," Glasener said. "So I was reminding her that she has one more year — and she's going to be a force to be reckoned with. She's doing amazing things in amazing ways, and just needs to keep that mentality of 'I'm a leader. I'm strong. I can fight through this and come back stronger.'" More: Sydney Herrmann has been 'killing it.' She delivered again to send Center Grove to regional If Renick progresses next spring like she did in 2025, she'll further solidify herself among the area's best — and within her class. After posting an ERA around 4.50 the past couple seasons, the Western Michigan commit posted a 3.95 ERA with a career-high 10 wins and 98 strikeouts. She walked a few more hitters and allowed a couple more home runs than last season, but Renick also worked 101 innings (career-high) and emerged as one of FC's most dependable hitters, batting .454 with 44 hits, 27 runs, 38 RBIs, three homers, 18 doubles and a triple. Franklin Central took care to preserve Renick's arm ahead of Wednesday's sectional finale, using her sparingly against Mooresville (92 pitches in 4.1 innings) and Southport (63 pitches in three innings). And though it very nearly backfired — Mooresville scored four in the seventh and led 10-8 in the eighth; Southport led 7-2 after four — the strategy ultimately paid off. Renick was sharp from the jump vs. CG, striking out two in the first, another in the second and recording the first two outs in the third before encountering turbulence. Lead-off hitter Mae Munson was hit by a pitch, Brynn Meyer notched CG's second hit of the game then senior Sydney Herrmann chased them in with a double to center. "I just didn't get the pitch outside enough and she barreled it up," lamented Renick, who finished her final appearance of the season with three runs allowed on five hits with zero walks and five strikeouts. "But you can't always get every pitch." Renick is the type of player who wants to do everything, Glasener observed, listing off her standout player's contributions at the plate, in the circle and on the basepaths. And perhaps most importantly, she wants to be a leader, a vocal presence in the dugout who gets everyone involved. It's a necessary role — and one Renick is well-suited for. "One of the things I just told her was she can bring people with her," Glasener said. "People are going to follow her lead, her command, on the field. And when she has that command, we are solid. That's a special thing for her to have." That command, Glasener continued, was not there at the beginning of the season. And as an entire team, they were "timid." This season was the first without Kathy Stricker leading the Franklin Central softball program. The 67-year old coach died in July following a five-year battle with cancer. She was remembered for being an advocate for girls' sports during her 45-year career as a teacher and coach at FC, and was literally the only head coach in the softball program's history. The Franklin Central coaches and players didn't know what they were coming into, Glasener said. "It was a changing program." "Nobody's been here besides Strick," she continued, pausing briefly to collect herself. "That's been a hard thing for us to overcome. … We carried (Stricker) with us (this season). She's been with us the entire time. And watching Kiley grow into that (leadership) role has been phenomenal to see." Glasener pointed to a mid-April game against New Palestine as the turning point in their season. They held a memorial for Stricker that night and were run-ruled, mustering just five runs in a 10-0 loss. It was rough because of the emotions involved, Renick said, "but that also made us realize what we were playing for." "It made us really think about what we were doing and lit a fire under our butts." Three days later, Franklin Central headed to the Lake Central tournament, where they took down out-of-state powers Lincoln-Way Central and Edwardsburg, and went to the wire with Lake Central and its ace, Maddie Such. The Flashes won 9-of-10 between the end of April through the start of May, and entered sectionals on a four-game win streak. "I couldn't be more proud of our girls," Glasener said. "We stepped up and did things people did not expect us to do. We were in games that people did not expect us to be in, and we should be proud. We did a phenomenal thing this year, and there's more to come."
