Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Citadel's Chris Swauger was chosen in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Friday afternoon as the 2008 graduate of The Citadel was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals. Swauger becomes the fifth player in the past four years to be drafted from The Citadel.

Swauger was picked by the Cardinals with the 785th pick overall.

Since 1979, Swauger becomes the sixth player in school history to be drafted by the Cardinals organization. St. Louis has drafted more players from The Citadel than any other MLB organization with Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Florida, Oakland and San Diego all tied for second with two Bulldog players drafted.

Swauger finished his career at The Citadel as only the second player in school history to record 300-plus hits. He also leaves with the school record in triples (16), finished second in doubles (71) and third in runs scored (211) and home runs (38).

At least one Bulldog player has been drafted in the MLB draft each of the past four years. Zach Brown was selected in the 27th round by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 draft while Matt Matulia was picked up by the Chicago Cubs in the 24th round in 2006.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Baseball, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.