Feb. 10, 2010
IOWA CITY — Iowa Head Baseball Coach Jack Dahm has announced that Kasey Carling, Patrick Lala, Bryan Niebalski and Taylor Zeutenhorst have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa and Kyle Haen, Jake Mangler and Aaron Smit intend to enroll and admit to the University of Iowa.
Carling, a native of Salem, UT, is a middle infielder who will be in the mix at shortstop. Carling lettered three years in baseball earning all-state, all-region and all-conference accolades his senior season. He also helped his Spanish Fork HS team win the state title in 2009. Carling was a NJCAA distinguished academic all-American last season with Salt Lake City Community College. He started every game at short stop and was named to the SWAC all-region team.
Haen, from Verona, WI, is an athletic outfielder that bats lefty. Haen was a National Honor Society and high honor roll athlete in high school. He started on the varsity baseball team since his freshman year, the team is 69-7 with him on the roster. In 2009, Haen helped lead his Madison Edgewood HS team to a division two state championship and was named first team all-conference, all-city and all-area. His junior campaign, he batted .359 with 29 RBI and a .554 slugging percentage.
Lala, a native of Marion, IA, is a right-handed pitcher from Kirkwood Community College. Lala appeared in 18 games. He amassed 45 strikeouts in 40.1 innings of work and finished the year with a 4.86 ERA.
Mangler, from Clinton, IA, will be a utility player for the Hawkeyes. He led Clinton HS to one of their best football seasons in history this fall, playing both sides of the ball.
Niedbalski, a native of Ballwin, MO, is an infielder. He earned four letters in hockey and baseball at DeSmet HS. Niedbalski led his fifth-seeded HS team to a district championship last spring batting .500 with five RBI over the three-game tournament. In 2009, he hit .362 with 18 RBI and 13 extra base hits.
Smit, from Wellman, IA, is a lanky left-handed pitcher from Mid Prairie HS. His junior season, he was named first team all-conference, second team all-district academic and an excellent student. Smit was named to the gold honor roll this year. In 2009, he appeared in 16 games with a 8-2 record and five saves. Smit compiled a 2.86 ERA with 88 strikeouts.
Zeutenhorst, a native of Sheldon, IA, is an athletic utility player. He has the ability to play on the left side of the field, as well as be a power arm on the mound. In 2009, he batted .560 with a 1.095 slugging percentage for his Sheldon HS. He is a two-time all-conference, all-district and all Northwest Iowa short stop. Zeutenhorst has earned three letters in football, three letters in basketball and three in track.