Penn's Nick Italiano has become the fourth member of the Quakers to sign with a Major League franchise this off-season, as the school's all-time hits leader inked a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies organization this past Friday night.
But unlike teammates Ben Krantz, Russ Brocato, and Andre McCreery -- all of whom were selected in the MLB draft on June 3 -- Italiano had to hope and wait for a team to call and sign him as a free agent.
That call -- made by Phillies scouting area supervisor Gene Schall -- came Friday night when Italiano was out to dinner.
He received a phone call at the restaurant from his father who delivered the good news to his son, and in no time Italiano came home, packed his bags, and took the next flight to Clearwater, Florida on Saturday night. The first-team All-Ivy second baseman will join the Gulf Coast Rookie League's Phillies whose season starts June 19 against the Gulf Coast League Pirates.
