Francis Marion University Athletics

Francis Marion University athletic officials recently announced the Class of 2024 inductees for the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame:  baseball infielder and right-handed pitcher Barrett Kleinknecht (‘22), cross country and track and fielder runner Paul Reardon (‘89), and long-time athletic trainer Spyder Webb (‘78).

The induction ceremony took place during Homecoming activities on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Smith University Center gymnasium at approximately 4 p.m. between the women’s and men's games of the FMU and King University basketball doubleheader.

Kleinknecht, a native of Florence (West Florence High School), lettered two years on the baseball diamond (2009 and 2010) after transferring to FMU.  He started at shortstop and pitched, earning All-Conference and All-Region honors both seasons, and garnering All-America accolades as a senior in 2010.  He was also named a regional Gold Glove winner both years.  His business degree was in management.

He helped the Patriots to a two-year record of 78-29-1, including winning the 2009 Peach Belt Conference Tournament title (at which he was named tournament MVP), and FMU advanced to the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

His career totals include 107 games, a .372 career batting average (tied for 6th best all-time in Patriot history), 105 runs scored, 35 doubles, 22 home runs (tied for 4th), 110 runs batted in, and a .411 on-base percentage.  He pitching numbers included a 7-4 record with six saves, a 2.43 earned run average, and 48 strikeouts in 70.1 innings pitched.

In 2009, he hit .372 with a school-record 89 hits, 50 runs scored, 16 doubles, nine homers, 64 RBIs, and a pair of 12-game hitting streaks. He helped the Patriots to a 38-15-1 record and No.14 national ranking.

During his All-American campaign in 2010, he batted .371 average, with 55 runs, 19 doubles, 13 homers, 46 RBIs, and a 6-1 pitching mark with a 1.74 ERA.  Opponents batted only .165 against him as FMU went 40-14 and ended the year ranked No.10.

After his career at FMU, he was drafted in the 12th round of 2010 MLB Draft.  He was named the MVP of the Danville Braves in 2010 and later played with the AA Mississippi club from 2012 through 2014.  He was selected the Fan Favorite each of those years and received a Gold Standard Award for community service in Pearl, Miss., in 2014.  That same season, he was also named the 2014 Utility Player of the Year and was awarded the Bill Lucas Award by the Atlanta Braves front office for contributions on and off the field.

He spent the 2015 season with the AAA Gwinnett club, and was again named a Fan Favorite.  He played every position on the field during his six-year career and appeared in 519 contests.
In 2016, he moved from the field to coaching and served as an assistant coach with the Rome Braves, who won the South Atlantic League championship.  He went on to manage the Gulf Coast Braves (Rookie League) in 2017, Danville Braves (Low A Affiliate) in 2018, and Florida Fire Frogs (High A Affiliate) in 2019, while also serving as a minor league spring training field coordinator. 

In 2020, he returned to Florence and started his own mosquito and turf control company (Kleink’s Mosquito & Turf Control).  He is married to former FMU softball player Carson Summersett and they have two children.