Jacob Hennessy

Jacob Hennessy completed his first year with the Tiger program as a student assistant coach in 2020. He was a starter and reliever on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Clemson teams.

The 2020 Tigers had a 14-3 record, but the season was suspended March 12 and later canceled due to a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Clemson, who had a 2.60 ERA and was 6-0 in one-run games, ended the season ranked as high as No. 19 in the nation. Sam Weatherly, who was a third-team All-American and third-round draft pick, was 2-0 with an 0.79 ERA, .096 opponents’ batting average and 43 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched. Carson Spiers was 3-0 with four saves and allowed just five hits and no earned runs in 15.1 innings pitched. Geoffrey Gilbert, who was 1-0 with an 0.71 ERA and a .159 opponents’ batting average, was a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Spencer Strider was a fourth-round draft pick as well.

In his three-year career, the lefthander was 10-5 with three saves, a 3.94 ERA, .261 opponents’ batting average and 130 strikeouts against 38 walks in 155.1 innings pitched over 61 appearances (20 starts). He is eighth in Tiger history in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.42) and eighth in walks per nine innings pitched (2.20). Hennessy was also a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member.

In 2019, he was 4-1 with a 4.05 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched after winning the Dedication Award in 2018 for outstanding work in the strength training room. He earned All-ACC Academic honors as well in 2018, when he was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in 71.1 innings pitched. His consistency also showed in 2017, when he was 2-1 with three saves and a 3.82 ERA in 30.2 innings pitched.

Hennessy, a native of Moore, S.C., graduated from Clemson on May 7, 2020 with a degree in management. He was born Aug. 4, 1997 in Spartanburg, S.C. and is engaged to Josie Pettit.