Hunt drafted by Dodgers in 9^th round;

Van Stratten picked by Royals

Central Missouri State Mules junior third baseman Bridger Hunt was selected in the ninth round (263^rd overall) of the Major League Draft today by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the highest drafted position player in CMSU baseball history. Nick Van Stratten, who signed a letter of intent to play with the Mules next year, was drafted in the 10^th round (287^th overall) by the Kansas City Royals.

Hunt, an ABCA Second-Team All-American, was also named the Central Region Player of the Year, marking the third consecutive season that a player from CMSU has garnered the honor. He topped the conference in hits (95) and triples (11), and led the Mules in nearly every offensive category. He hit .415 with 74 RBI and 66 runs scored for CMSU. Hunt also moved up to second for triples in a season at Central Missouri.

He was the MIAA Player of the Year as well, taking first-team honors in both the region and conference. Hunt is the ninth player drafted out of the Central Missouri baseball program in the last three years.

Van Stratten, who played center field at St. Louis Community College at Meramec the last two seasons, is a two-time first-team all-region pick and the 2006 region most valuable player. He was also first-team all-conference performer at Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, Mo.

The Mules finished the season with a 44-16 record and won the MIAA Tournament Championship for the seventh consecutive year.