Sign on the dotted line, please

Another baseball signing to pass along, in this, the season of signing.

Levi Dwinell, Piedra Vista's talented pitcher/infielder, is headed to Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla. Dwinell is one of those kids who exudes potential -- a million-dollar word in the recruiting world. The 18-year-old hit better than .400 this spring, but projects more as a pitcher, and for good reason.

With a slender frame -- he's 6-foot-2, though he says, "almost 6-3," and 170 pounds -- Dwinell's high-80s fastball will definitely improve as his body matures and he gets on a weight program at Hillsborough. PV coach Dick Laughlin said today he expects his former charge to be pitching in the mid-90s after two years of junior college ball.

Dwinell tallied an ERA right around 2.50 this season as the Panthers advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals, where they lost to district rival Farmington High. He entered the state's prep record books when he struck out 16 in the first round of the state tournament, a Game 1 win over Del Norte. That tally is tied for the fourth-most punchouts in a single game.

For more on Dwinell's signing, read Friday's print edition.

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Laughlin also said another of his former standouts, Jason Ray, is sitting out this summer after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Ray is a 23-year-old prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization, meaning he had the surgery at a young enough age to hopefully bounce back and continue his journey through pro baseball.

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A new swim coach for Farmington High and Piedra Vista has been named. Trevor Gray, who was hired by FCAT earlier this spring, will coach both squads.

Read more about that hire in Thursday's print edition.