Clemson did not get many runs in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Furman at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, but it did not need very many thanks to starter Jacob Hennessy.
The lefty had perhaps the best outing of his career, pitching close to seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits in his third win of the season. Hennessy improved to 3-0 on the season.
Brooks Crawford closed the game for the Tigers, who won their 15th straight following a loss, dating back to last April.
“As far as our performance, that may be the best pitching performance we had in my four years here,” Clemson head coach Monte Lee said afterward. “We only threw eighty-nine pitches tonight.”
Hennessy went 6 1/3 innings Wednesday night. Though he was not overpowering, he had just three strikeouts, the junior was efficient throwing strikes. He induced 10 ground balls and did not issue a walk.
“All three of my pitches were working pretty well,” Hennessy said. “I had control of them. I was just controlling the zone early with fastballs and letting me make some outs. When I got ahead in the count, I then threw sliders and breaking balls in the dirt and it worked well.”
Wednesday was just the second time in Hennessy’s career he did not allow a run when pitching six or more innings. He gave up just three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings against Dallas Baptist on February 23, 2018.
“It was great to see that. Heck, we would have loved to see him stay out there,” Lee said. “But we were trying to make sure we had him available for the weekend.
“I think he ended up throwing right at seventy pitches. That was kind of the threshold we wanted him to go to… It was really good to see him do that and was extremely encouraging. I’m really happy for him and proud of him.”
Crawford was just as effective when he came in the game in the seventh inning. He pitched the final 2 2/3 in earning the save. It was his first save for the senior since his freshman year. The righty did not allow a hit. He had one strikeout and no walks.
“I was just kind of focused on getting people out,” Crawford said. “I was just throwing low in the zone. That has been kind of my struggle all year. So, I just felt like I had a different mentality coming in out of the bullpen.”
Clemson (25-8) finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning to get on the scoreboard. With two outs and Sam Hall at third base, catcher Kyle Wilkie drove a base hit to left center to score Hall easily from third.
Hall’s run was set up by a balk from Furman pitcher Nik Verbeke, who was charged with the loss.
The Tigers added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when Bo Majkowski brought Grayson Byrd home for a 2-0 lead. Majkowski had two hits to lead the team.
Furman fell to 11-21 overall.
Clemson will travel to Florida State on Friday to begin a three-game series with the Seminoles. Friday’s game is set to begin at 6 p.m., from Tallahassee, Fla.