Often stuck in the mountains near Buckhannon, W.Va. for his internship with the Energy Corporation of America, Indiana University of Pennsylvania senior Paul Bingham has grown accustomed to lousy cell phone service.

The highly touted Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference shortstop, who broke numerous offensive school records en route to the program's first Daktronics All-American first team nod in 20 years, felt it even greater on Tuesday evening.

"My friend came over and said you missed a call from the San Diego Padres," said the 22-year-old Bingham, who was taken with the 604th overall pick in the 20th round of the MLB Draft.

"They gave me the phone, and I saw that it was a 619 (area code) number. I called it right back. It was my scout. They said, 'Congratulations, we just drafted you.'"

Bingham, a 2006 graduate of South Western, became the first Crimson Hawks player to be drafted by a MLB team in seven years and also the first former Mustang to be selected professionally.

He was a first-team National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-American and became the PSAC West Player of the Year after helping the Crimson Hawks to a 31-24 record. IUP went 18-6 in the West and won the conference title for the first time in 20 years.

Not since 1990, when Kevin McMullan last landed All-American honors, had IUP had a player on the first team.

Bingham, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, torched the plate in batting .463 for the season. But his

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fast feet also picked up numerous accolades, with his 45 stolen bases breaking a 17-year-old PSAC record.

"He is one of the most athletic kids I've ever coached," said South Western head coach Mike Resetar, who coached Bingham in high school from 2003-06. "He could probably catch. He's played third. He can play short. He can play the outfield. He's a pure overall athlete."

Bingham also registered 12 triples last season, which tied the 33-year-old PSAC mark and recorded school season records of 88 hits, 70 runs and 134 total bases.

"Paul has been a cornerstone of our program since the day he stepped on campus," Crimson Hawks head coach Jeff Ditch said. "He came to IUP as a non-drafted high school player and developed himself into the best player in the PSAC. He was a fighter for us each and every inning and his makeup, work ethic and self-motivation will continue to propel him in his pro career."

Bingham said he didn't expect to get selected so early, but when it happened, it caught him off guard. He anticipated being drafted in the late 20s and early 30s of the 50-round process.

"We didn't think it would be that high," Bingham's father, Mark, said. "We were very surprised, very excited. We had a bunch of phone calls in that time. People were watching it online.

"The second it happened, a friend of mine texted me saying congratulations. A lot of people were pretty excited, and that was nice to see, too."

Bingham's regional scout, Andrew Salvo, called late Tuesday to discuss the organization's plans within the coming week. Bingham said he would return home to Hanover on Thursday and, within a couple of days, Salvo would meet him to go over the "tender package" the Padres are planning to offer him.

After coming to an agreement with financial details, Bingham will then fly to Arizona for mini-camp. From there, he will ship out to a designated assignment, possibly in Arizona with the rookie summer-league Padres or in Eugene, Ore., with the short-season Emeralds.

"If he goes and gets better and works hard, hopefully he can get a chance," Resetar said.