May is the month of teams clinching regional titles and playoff positions, and it started early. On May 6th, Villanova clinched their 6th regional title, winning the Atlantic Region after a 6-3 victory over Penn. Ten days later, May 16th, Cornell followed suit, clinching the Northeast Region with a 10-4 win over Syracuse. It was the 3rd regional title for the Big Red and the first step toward defending their national championship. On May 23rd, Brown sophomore left fielder Abner Dalrymple had his 27 game hit streak brought to an end. Dalrymple would finish the season hitting .345, with 0 HR, and 35 RBI. The battle for the New England Region would go down to the wire. On May 25th, Harvard holds a one game lead over Brown. The Crimson have no problem with Dartmouth, though, winning their final game 5-0 over the Big Green and clinching their 3rd regional title. Although Brown also won their final game, it wasn't enough. The Fordham Rams take the wild card with a 6-2 victory over Columbia. Fordham finished the season on a five game win streak and return to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 1878. Brown misses postseason play for the first time since 1872, bringing their six season streak to an end.
Cornell sophomore first baseman "Big Dan" Brouthers takes home the season batting title, finishing the year hitting .377, with five home runs and 43 RBI.
So, with the season at an end, James felt torn. Both of his son's teams were in the playoffs. James Jr. had just finished up his junior year at Harvard. He only played six games, going 1-2 on the year with a 0.00 ERA and two saves. In 8.2 IP, James Jr. allowed only five hits, struck out four and walked one. Thomas had just wrapped up his freshman year at Cornell, where he started six games, while playing in 15. Thomas only hit .192, with no homers and 3 RBI. Of Thomas' five hits, though, four were doubles. James looked over the playoff schedule. Harvard was traveling to Villanova, while Fordham was playing at Cornell. While he hated to have to choose between sons, James decided to make the trip to Ithaca, New York to watch Thomas' Cornell team take on Fordham for Game 1. Then, he would travel to Cambridge to watch James Jr. in Game 2, when Villanova traveled to Harvard. For the season, Harvard and Villanova split a two game set against each other. Cornell, however, faced Fordham eight times during the regular season, winning six games and losing two.