This week in 1930, Cornell baseball was preparing to go on its annual spring training trip. The team was scheduled to face four of the best college clubs of the south — North Carolina, Duke, Georgetown, and Maryland. The coaches were encouraged about the fact that the players would receive valuable seasoning against these tough opponents.
The Tar Heels were the 1929 champions of the Tri-State League, but Cornell took care of business against Carolina with an 8-3 victory. UNC’s captain, Maus, and infielders Whitehead and Lufty all received major league tryouts in the coming spring. However, Cornell was well-prepared and ready to face this very talented squad.
In addition, Duke was undefeated in Southern Conference play throughout the previous season, and heading into 1930, the team lost only one graduating senior. Blue Devils head coach, J.W. Coombs, won three World Series games and was a known strong force in the coaching world. The group’s batting average was exceptionally high, making the Big Red severe underdogs once again. Despite long odds, Cornell was still hoping to defeat the college baseball giants.
Unfortunately, the Big Red definitely faced some strong competition, only defeating one club, North Carolina, to go 1-3 on the trip. But, Cornell gained valuable experience and enhanced its skills over the course of the team’s spring break.
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