By Eric Sprott (Contact / Staff Bio)
March 11, 2008 - 12:15 a.m. EST

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Associated Press

Clemson third baseman Kyle Parker throws to first base during the Tigers' game against South Carolina March 1 in Columbia. Parker hit three home runs in one game against Wake Forest on Sunday.

CLEMSON — When Kyle Parker graduated from high school in December to take part in Clemson’s spring football practice, it came almost as a footnote that he’d been playing for Jack Leggett and the Tigers’ baseball team.

But the two-sport athlete has exceeded expectations by cracking the starting lineup on the diamond because of an injury to John Hinson, and he’s made the most of the opportunity by leading the team with a .382 batting average in his nine games.

He also keyed the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory at Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon, tying a school record with three home runs to go along with seven RBIs in Clemson’s 12-11 win in the nightcap of the doubleheader against the Demon Deacons.

Parker also leads the ACC in slugging percentage at .824, and said he was a little taken aback by his performance over the weekend.

“I really didn’t know what to expect coming in,” he said. “Three home runs in one game is kind of surprising.”

Parker has played around most of the infield and at designated hitter for the Tigers (7-4, 1-2 ACC), who will begin a two-games series against UNC Greensboro today at 4 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson.

His 4 home runs and 9 RBIs are among the best figures on the club, and come as somewhat of a surprise as the freshman from Jacksonville, Fla. hadn’t picked up a bat since last June before arriving on campus in January.

“I’ve just been working hard on hard trying to get my swing down and getting used to the pitching. I guess people say the best hitters just go up there and swing, and that’s kind of what I do,” he said.

On top of the prowess Parker has shown on the diamond, there are also big expectations for him on the gridiron. Coming out of Bartram Trail High School, ESPN.com ranked him the No. 4 quarterback in the nation, as well as the country’s No. 34 prospect, regardless of position.

He also starred in the ESPN/Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 5, where he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to fellow Tiger recruit Jamie Harper with just under three minutes left in the contest.

Monday marked Parker’s first practice with the football team, as he was at Wake Forest when spring practice officially began Saturday, and he said his time management is a bit challenging between academics and two sports within his first three months of being a student.

“I still have some things to take care of and things to just get used to,” he said. “It’s kind of a struggle juggling everything, but I’m getting used to it.”

Parker expects to miss Wednesday’s game against UNC Greensboro to take part in football practice, because he said learning the Clemson offense is a little more taxing for him than swinging the bat.

“I’m talking to Coach Spence and just trying to get to a level where I can go out there and play everyday and compete like I do in baseball,” he said.

Given his breakneck pace for picking up baseball at the collegiate level, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he does just that.