Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU: Returning letterman....Made four mound appearances in 2022 (3 starts)....Posted a 2-2 record....More strikeouts (20) than innings pitched (15.2)....Transfer from Coastal Carolina University, where he played his freshman season....Spent this past academic year (2020-21) at Northeastern Technical College and did not play baseball....A two-way player, who has chosen to concentrate solely on pitching...Possesses a lot of ability on the mound with good arm strength, while also throwing a good breaking ball and change-up....Nice addition to the 2022 recruiting class and will come in and challenge for a weekend starting role....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2021 (fall), 2022 (spring, fall), 2023 (fall), 2024 (spring)....Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll 2023 (fall), 2024 (spring).

CCU:  Pitched in two contests during the shortened 2020 campaign and played seven games in the field as a shortstop batting .333.

PERSONAL:

• Born Connor Lee Kirkley in Monroe, NC
• Graduate of McBee High School, where he played for coach Chris Lloyd 
• Played on three Class A state championship teams with the Panthers
• 2-time South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association’s Class A Player of the Year
• 2-time All-State selection
• Chosen to play in the North/South Select Game.
• Helped lead McBee to a four-year mark of 92-37, while hitting over .400 in both his junior and senior seasons
• In his final year, he did not allow an earned run in 38 innings on the mound with 55 strikeouts
• Ranked as high as the No.3 shortstop and the No.11 overall prospect in the class of 2019 for the state of South Carolina by Prep Baseball Report
• Nickname is Kirk

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: White Power Ranger 
• How you got your nickname: It’s a shortened version of my last name 
• Favorite Superhero: Naruto
• Favorite Athlete:  Ben Thornton 
• Favorite Sports Team:  Flint Tropics
• Favorite Movie or TV show: Road To Glory 
• Favorite Food:  Sushi
• Favorite Vacation Spot:  Beach
• Favorite Musical Artist: Two Friends 
• Favorite Thing About FMU:  Its size 
• Favorite Off-Field/court Activity:  Golf 
• Goals for Upcoming Season:  Win the conference
• Why you first chose your sport: Dad signed me up for tee ball 
• Biggest mental challenge in your sport: Failing more than you succeed 
• Interesting Notes:  Recorded a hole-in-one last summer (2022); I have a twin brother who doesn’t look like me
• Brush With Greatness:  Locker neighbors with Nick Palumbo