2025 Senior Spotlight: Kalab Kuhl, Logan-Magnolia
Logan-Magnolia graduate Kalab Kuhl talks about his past season and reflects upon his career in the Panthers’ uniform.
1) You grew up playing a baseball / Why, how did this sport develop into your favorite sport?
Baseball has always been my favorite sport, from the moment I was able to pick up a baseball. I credit most of my love for the game to my dad and the rest of my family. At just a few days old, I was carted around to my aunt’s state softball tournament. I think it was pretty much guaranteed that baseball would be my favorite.
2) Your pitching Coaches / Talk about what they have meant to you to reach this point of your career??
My dad and Coach Kurtis Hinkel. My dad has coached me all the way from Kindergarten through High School and he has always been the one to help me with my mechanics. Coach Hinkel has really helped me work with different pitch grips and to develop all of them. He has taught me how to be a pitcher and how to set guys up. I owe them both a lot for all the time and effort they each put into making me better.
3) Did you watch any of the older kids in front of you / Who were some of your idols
I watched Joe Hedger and really like the way he played the game. He was always hustling and always doing the right thing, on and off the field.
4) When you entered high school play for your first game (8th grade), you remember the emotions (nerves, excitement)
My very first game came in 8th grade when we were playing Tri-Center at home (2021). It was a close game and I was brought in to pitch. I was barely 5 feet tall, 90-lbs on a good day. I remember being a little nervous and kind of in disbelief that I was being trusted in such a close game. I ended up doing fine and not allowing a run. It was a good start to my career.
5) Who was the older HS pitcher ahead of you / Who did you step in an replace
Once again Joe Hedger. Joe was a senior my 8th grade year and was our ace. I looked up to him a lot and I tried to act as much like him as I could. He was always a good leader and calm and collected.
6) Is there any game (past 5 years) stands out / provides best memory / Where have you seen your biggest improvement:
There are a couple that do. The first would be when we upset Underwood my sophomore year (2023). We were coming off a very rough season the year before, and were huge underdogs in the game. We rallied late and were able to walk them off. They were a great team and had success at the state tournament, so that one was really cool.
Another game that sticks out would have to be the Coon Rapids-Bayard substate game my senior year (2025). It started off a little rough but we were able to hang around and tie it up in the late stages of the game. Seeing Wes Vana hit that lead off double in the 8th was amazing and I knew we were going to win at that point. Making history was by far the best memory I have in my career.
7) How much do you think you have grown as a player (from 8th grade to Senior Year):
Physically a lot, mentally even more. As a freshman I was tossed into a role that I wasn’t quite ready for and I feel that getting that experience really propelled me forwards into becoming the player I am today. We struggled a lot that year (2022) and being able to learn from our mistakes helped us grow as a team and me as a player. I was taught how to lead a team and how to be mentally tough. I also credit participating in physical sports like football and wrestling for my mental toughness.
8) Your favorite place to be a) Batters Box with winning runs in scoring position; or b) Pitching Circle, opponents have runners in scoring position, and you have the ball / Why:
I would like to just say on the field in general. There is no game like baseball and getting the opportunity to play with my best friends was just icing on the cake… But if I had to pick I’d have to say in the box with winning runs in scoring position. Nothing like getting a game winning rbi.
9) Your Favorite place – You like the Batters Box or Pitching Circle more / Why
Over the last few years I have really come around with my bat. I have been able to really hunt my pitch and drive the baseball well. Don’t get me wrong I love pitching and competing one on one with guys, but there’s really nothing like getting the game winning or tying rbi.
10) School Records / What are you most proud of / which one did you want the most / what was it having your mom be your biggest fan
I would have to say that being the school’s all time strikeout leader would have to be my favorite one. I think I might have gotten a few others but knowing the athletes and pitchers that came before me and to know that I am ahead of them is crazy.
My mom has always been my biggest fan, but my brothers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents aren’t far behind. I couldn’t tell you a single event that I didn’t have at least one of them at to support me. Whether it was a baseball game, a track meet, or even a school concert, they always show up, and I think that outweighs any record or accomplishment that I could ever wish for.
11) High School, Last 5 years – Your Most Memorable Moment / Why:
There were a lot. Being a four sport athlete I was able to see a lot of cool things happen and was even able to accomplish many feats myself. The one thing that tops them all though, was being able to bring my favorite sport back to life for the Logan community. Making history and hopefully starting something great for the Lo-Ma baseball team has definitely got to be my most memorable moment.
12) What are you most looking forward to at College / What will be your Biggest adjustment (College Major, please)
College: Buena Vista College, Storm Lake. Major: Sports Business Finance, minor in accounting.
I am looking forward to all the opportunities that college will bring. Being able to focus on just one sport and dedicate most of my time to baseball and just seeing how good of a baseball player I can become. My biggest adjustment will definitely be not having all of my friends there and just meeting new people in general.
13) What was it like to play for your Coach/Dad, finishing career at State
There was no way I would have rather had it. Sure it was hard sometimes when he would get after me, but I feel like that only made me tougher and better. It was awesome to be able to play for him and to have him call my pitches all season and on the biggest stage. Not many kids get to say they have that relationship with their dad and I am one lucky guy to have him in my corner.
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Lo-Ma’s Kuhl, Senior Season
2025 By the Numbers
Hitting
Batting Avg.: .519.
RBIs: 20.
Hits: 40.
2b: 6
3b: 3.
Stolen Bases: 17.
Pitching
Record: 5-4
ERA: 0.72.
Innings Pitched: 58.1
Walks: 16.
Strikeouts: 80
