BRENHAM, TX -- Four members of the 2011 Blinn Buccaneer baseball team will have the opportunity to continue their baseball careers next spring.

In Tuesday’s MLB Draft, sophomore catcher Nick DeSantiago was selected in the 5th round with the 176th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves. DeSantiago (Buda Hays) hit .313 this season with 31 runs scored, 19 RBI’s and three home runs. After high school, DeSantiago was drafted in the 33rd round by the Washington Nationals in 2009, but instead opted to sign with the University of Texas Longhorns before transferring to Blinn in 2010.

Four other Bucs have signed to play at D-I programs. Sophomore outfielder Brandon Lawrence, who was an All-Conference, All-Region and 3rd Team All-American selection for the Bucs this season, will continue his career next spring at the University of Texas at Arlington. Lawrence (Buda Hays) led the Bucs with a .387 batting average and 18 doubles. He also had four home runs, one triple and 29 RBI’s.

Sophomore first baseman Matt Baca (Round Rock Stoney Point) has committed to Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA). Baca played 54 games for the Buccaneers this season and had a .309 batting average with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 39 RBI’s.

Sophomore infielder Josh Foust (The Woodlands) has committed to Houston Baptist University. Foust played in 55 games for the Bucs and hit .326 with 12 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 39 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Garrett Staudt (Strake Jesuit) will continue his career at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Staudt recorded 10 saves as the Bucs’ closer the past two seasons.

In other draft news, Eric Wood (3B, RHP) from Pickering High School, Ontario, Canada was drafted in the 37th round with the 1,126 pick by the Oakland Athletics. Wood has signed to play at Blinn and will be an incoming freshman this fall.