Clemson’s Kyle Parker Does Double Duty
(With the end of the year fast approaching, we’re counting down some of the top moments from the 2009 college baseball season. We’ll have one a day through New Year’s Eve.)
Parker threw 19 TDs this season for bowl bound Clemson.
It’s hectic enough being a two sport college athlete, but it’s even more chaotic when the two sports converge. That is what happened to Clemson’s Kyle Parker during the weekend of April 11, 2009.
The Clemson football team was wrapping-up its spring drills with the annual Spring Football Game, which meant he would be under center at quarterback that afternoon. But the Tiger baseball team was also hosting Miami in a crucial ACC series that weekend. (See where this is going?)
Parker first suited-up for his first-year football coach, Dabo Swinney, and had a stellar day on the gridiron. He completed 10-of-21 passes for 171 yards and no interceptions on the day. He also added a rushing touchdown in his action at Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium (known to most as “Death Valley). His day wasn’t done there though.
Parker then rushed to Doug Kingsmore stadium to play the doubleheader with the baseball team. He got there after the first game had started, but he went 2-for-4 with his 6th home run of the season and 3 RBIs after being inserted into the line-up at DH for Richard Mounce. Despite his efforts Clemson lost 12-8 to the Hurricanes.
Parker came-up big again in the second game, going 1-for-3 with his 7th home run.
Parker hit .255 with 12 HR in 2009 (Clemson Photo)
He had 2 RBIs with 2 runs as Clemson won 9-1. In the series finale the next day Parker failed to homer, but he was 1-for-3 with 2 more RBIs as Clemson downed Miami 9-6 to win the series.
Parker finished his sophomore season by hitting .255 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs. Clemson finished the season with a 44-12 record with a trip to the Tempe Super Regional.
His 2009 football season was solid as well. Parker passed for 2,385 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to help Clemson to an 8-5 regular season record. The Tigers face Kentucky in the Dec. 27 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN.
Parker is among more than 35 college baseball players who have been included in the Collegebaseball360.com Two Sport Reports throughout the fall.
Other Top Moments Of 2009
16. #1 Arkansas Beats #1 Arizona State
17. Rhode Island Beats Miami And Oklahoma State
18. Kansas State’s A.J. Morris beats Arizona State’s Mike Leake
19. North Carolina’s Mike Fox Wins His 1,000th Game
20. Illinois Shocks #1 LSU In Baton Rouge
21. Alabama’s Kent Matthes Launches Longballs
22. Freshman Levi Michael Starts In North Carolina’s Season Opener