Pitchers Dorsch, Lacivita sign college deals

On Tuesday, July 13, two Port St. Joe baseball players became the latest Tiger Sharks to extend their playing careers by signing college scholarships.

Carter Dorsch and Kevin Lacivita, both pitchers, were seated beside their proud parents for the signings.

Dorsch chose to become a Rattler at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. His teammate Kevin Lacivita,  is headed to Borger, Texas, to take the mound for the Plainsmen of Frank Phillips Community College, in the Texas Panhandle about an hour northeast of Amarillo.

“I am excited for them,” said Coach Ashley Summerlin, speaking highly of both young men. “These two guys right here did it better than a lot of guys I’ve coached. I can’t tell you how many times I went by the field and Carter was in the cage (working out).”

Signing with FAMU “is why he did it, and I’m glad that he gets an opportunity” to fulfill his dream of playing Division 1 ball, added the proud head coach.

“Kevin had the same work ethic,” despite an injury he suffered this past season, said Summerlin. “He was able to do what he wanted to do and get to where he wanted to be.”

Although Lacivita will be a long way from home, “he’s getting to experience a place that he might not have been able to experience before,” said his coach.

Dorsch and Lacivita became the third baseball players to be awarded scholarships from this year’s senior class.

On May 21, Caden Turrell committed to play for Southern Union College, and Summerlin indicated Jacob Hopper would soon become his fourth player from this senior class to ink with a college, “with the possibility of one more.”

Proud of Port St. Joe’s success, Summerlin said it was “great that our program is able to produce kids like that,” and that “college coaches come here looking for quality players” to join their teams.

 Summerlin said he is confident both Dorsch and Lacivita “will be productive citizens, which is my main goal.

“We want them to come back and give their wisdom to the kids coming up through our program,” Summerlin said in his congratulatory remarks.

Not forgetting the duo’s parents, Summerlin said they “have done a great job in raising (their) kids. It’s not hard to coach players like these,” thanks in large part to the parents.

Both hurlers are scheduled to report for pre-season workouts next month at their respective campuses.

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