Clemson leading hitter kicked off baseball team. 2 others out for year with injuries
Clemson baseball coach Monte Lee announced Friday afternoon that one of his leading returning hitters is no longer a part of the program.
Michael Green, a redshirt junior, has been dismissed from the team, Lee said.
Green finished the 2019 season with a .307 batting average. He had eight doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs in 28 games, with 27 starts.
“Michael Green, who I have not mentioned, is no longer a part of the team, was dismissed for the team for rules violations,” Lee said.
Green was slated to be a big part of Clemson’s offense in 2020. He ended last season on a 14-game hitting streak and was the Tigers’ leadoff hitter in the postseason as Clemson played in the Oxford Regional at Ole Miss.
After returning from an injury late last season, Green hit .393 during his 14-game hitting streak to end the season.
“Michael Green’s been on fire,” Lee said late last season. “He’s been such a huge addition to our team here in the last 10 or 12 games that he’s been back in our lineup. He’s been swinging the bat extremely well.”
In addition to Green, Lee announced that senior pitcher Jacob Hennessy’s career is over after an arm injury. Junior pitcher Ryne Huggins is also out for the season with an injury, Lee announced.
Hennessy was 4-1 with a 4.05 ERA in 2019. He appeared in 21 games, with six starts.
Huggins appeared in seven games last season and had a 3.60 ERA in five innings.
Clemson went 35-26 last season and had its season end in a loss to Jacksonville State in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers open the 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 14 against Liberty. Clemson has several strong candidates for its starting rotation, including Mat Clark, Davis Sharpe and Carter Raffield. But the Tigers need some guys to step up offensively, particularly with Green being dismissed from the team.
This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 3:34 PM.
