Elkins Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in MLB Draft

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont's Packy Elkins (Raleigh, N.C.) was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 37th Round (1129th overall) of the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft on Wednesday. He becomes the 26th player in Belmont Baseball history to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team and is the first Bruin to be drafted by the Cardinals Baseball Club.

"I am very excited for Packy to continue the tradition of players from Belmont to play professional baseball," said Head Coach Dave Jarvis. "He was a tremendous leader and team captain of the 2010 squad. I think he has all the skills and mental toughness to make a great professional player."

Elkins had a long and distinguished career with the Bruins after capping his senior campaign in 2010, batting a third-best .327 on the team. He also led the team in slugging percentage (.679), was second in home runs (15), and was ranked among the top-five in single season home runs. Elkins, a regular starter in the left side of the infield since his freshman year, departed the program as Belmont's all-time bases-on-balls and sacrifice hits leader. He also owns BU's single season and career marks in both categories.

"I was pretty shocked when I heard actually," Elkins said. "I am really excited and I think this is great for Belmont and the program. I think a lot of guys in the future will be moving on out of Belmont in the next couple of years."

Elkins is the sixth Bruin drafted since 2007, joining Daniel Wagner, Derek Wiley, who was drafted both in 2008 and 2009, Carlo Testa, Ben Petsch and Wilson Tucker.

Continue to check www.belmontbruins.com for additional Belmont selections in the 2010 MLB Draft.