Caroline Jacobsen

Personal: Jacobsen is the daughter of Krist and Kathy Jacobsen and has two brothers. She considers her brother, Connor, one of her idols for the example he set through his hard work and dedication. Jacobsen graduated from Duke University with a degree in political science and later earned her master’s degree in business administration from Clemson University. During her final semester of graduate school, she interned with a professional soccer team in South Carolina. Growing up, she played soccer and developed a love for sports early on. Her hobbies include playing pickleball and tennis, going for walks, having weekly dinners with her grandfather, and binge-watching movies and TV shows. Her walk-up song is “Scuse Me” by Lizzo. Jacobsen credits Duke head softball coach Marissa Young as someone who has had a meaningful impact on her life. One moment that stands out as particularly memorable was getting a high five from Billie Eilish at a concert, which left her feeling starstruck. Her proudest accomplishment is being part of the growth and success of the Duke softball program. She also won the “Crowd Favorite” award at her high school talent show, a fun and lighthearted achievement she still remembers fondly.

2024 Championship Season: Jacobsen finished in 26th place with 1,176 leaderboard points, including 980 win points, 156 stat points, and 40 MVP points. She earned a starting assignment in 10 of 13 games. Over the course of the season, she compiled a .237 batting average, registering nine hits in 38 at-bats. Jacobsen tied for second in the league with five doubles and drove in four runs while being hit by a pitch twice. She closed the season strong, collecting at least one hit in five of her final seven games, including a two-hit effort against Team Ocasio on August 25. Jacobsen also posted a 2-for-4 showing against Team McQuillin on August 3, scoring two runs. She registered a double in three consecutive games from August 12-17. Her best performance came on August 12 against Team McQuillin, when she accumulated a season-high 160 leaderboard points. She posted a total of eight games with 100 or more leaderboard points during the season.

2023 Championship Season: Jacobsen, a talented rookie, earned 19th place in the league standings with 1,308 leaderboard points. She was one of three rookies to claim Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball All-Defensive Team plaudits. Jacobsen earned a starting assignment in 14 of 15 games and tallied seven hits, including three doubles and two home runs, while driving in three runs. She also drew five walks. Jacobsen earned her first Game MVP award of her Athletes Unlimited career against Team Garcia with MVP 1 distinction. She went 2-for-5 with a double and the first home run of her professional career, collecting a season-high 210 leaderboard points. Additionally, Jacobsen belted a home run against Team Urtez on August 19. She hit safely in five of her final seven games and registered nine games with 100 or more leaderboard points, including her final six outings in a row.

Other Professional Experience: Jacobsen was selected as the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 Women’s Professional Fastpitch Draft by the USSSA Pride. 

At Clemson: Jacobsen spent the 2023 season at Clemson after playing four years at Duke University. She started in 238 out of 252 games between the two schools and compiled a career batting average of .298. She hit 45 home runs, with 166 runs batted in, and collected 195 hits, including 46 doubles and three triples. Jacobsen started in all 61 games and helped lead the Tigers to a berth in the NCAA Super Regionals. She finished her lone season at Clemson with a .309 batting average, contributing 12 home runs and 50 runs batted in. Jacobsen earned Third-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and was named a Third-Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators. 

At Duke: Jacobsen piloted Duke University to the 2021 ACC Championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances. She ended her Duke career as the all-time leader with 24 home runs and had a .533 slugging percentage, which ranks second in school history. Jacobsen also set a Duke single-season record with 22 walks in the 2021 season and hit two home runs in a game three times, a feat only accomplished by four players in Duke history.