Spark plug Gabe Springer shines early on for USD

SAN DIEGO — After starting a spectacular 6-4-5 triple play versus the Charlotte 49ers on Opening Day, it was going to be hard for Torero fans to forget Gabe Springer’s name. Entrusted with USD’s starting shortstop role to begin the 2026 campaign, Springer has shown a combination of offensive prowess and defensive range.

The fifth-year graduate student transferred from Stanford to San Diego after spending the first four years of his collegiate career in Palo Alto. The reason? Culture — a trait that student-athletes rave about when referencing the Toreros.

“For me, it was really about how close and how it just really feels like a family here,” Springer said during a recent interview. “We have all the coaching staff — they’re always going to be there for you. All the guys, all your teammates, they’re brothers. They’re gonna support you no matter what — whether you’re riding high or riding low, they’re gonna be there for you,” he added. 

Through the season’s first seven contests, it’s easy to see the togetherness of San Diego’s clubhouse. Springer describes his relationship with his fellow infielders as “super close,” a bond that sees all of them spending as much time off the diamond as they do on it.

“When you have those close bonds, those close relationships, it makes it really easy to just enjoy each other on the field and just really gel together. Play as one.”

It’s no surprise that a free and easy environment has kept him loose and comfortable. Springer laced a run-scoring double in the season opener in Charlotte and followed up in the series’ rubber match by launching a no-doubt, two-run homer that propelled the Toreros to a 14-4 comeback victory. 

Two nights later, he made a dazzling diving catch on the road against Long Beach State to keep the ballgame tied at three apiece in extra innings. San Diego would go on to win the thriller by a final score of 6-3.

“I pride myself on being consistent on both sides of the ball,” he responded when asked about his defensive ability and offensive talent. “As a baseball player, you have to be able to do it all."

SIGHTS SET HIGHER

USD is in the midst of a special era under head coach Brock Ungricht. Going for a third straight WCC title, the Toreros have their sights set on a place that’s eluded them thus far — Omaha, Nebraska.

Springer, with championship pedigree of his own, helped Stanford capture a Pac-12 Conference title in 2023. Now, in his last year of college eligibility, wouldn’t it be poetic for him to help USD achieve greatness of its own? 

Said Springer of his College World Series aspirations:

“A hundred percent. I think Omaha is the ultimate goal of college baseball. We do have to take it one step at a time. Our initial goal has to be winning the WCC, but we all feel that we have a very strong group here. We just gotta keep pushing and playing to the best of our ability every day. I think if we’re able to do that, we can definitely make a run. The goal is definitely going to Omaha.”

That’s the tone of a student-athlete who is all the way bought in to a win-now environment. Springer also credited Ungricht on the sustained belief of achieving greater things, saying:

“(He) is definitely a great coach and he stays very consistent with coming through with his messages for us every day. We’ll always have our Torero time before practices and he’s there to give us a speech, motivate us, and keep us locked in on what we have to do on a daily basis — his leadership, his emotion, and passion for the game and winning definitely rubs off on you. I know I can say for myself and all the guys in the locker room that we do wanna run through a brick wall for him. The way he leads us definitely keeps us motivated and hungry to keep showing up and getting better every day.”

The feeling is mutual.

San Diego came home to Fowler Park on a fun-filled Friday night, in which they downed the Utah Utes in an 8-4 win. Springer finished USD’s home opener with a walk and a hit by pitch, showcasing the variety of ways he’s been able to get on base to help spark the Torero lineup.

“His presence is outstanding. He’s the same guy every day since the day he walked in here,” Ungricht glowingly said of Springer. “He’s just hungry. He’s enjoying the opportunity to play. He’s got a lot of talent. He can flat out hit. He’s been playing a great shortstop for us, and just leading by example — he’s always doing something to get on base and it’s really nice having Gabe on the squad.”

Since San Diego’s electric home victory over Utah, the switch-hitting shortstop picked up where he left off, going 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs, and seven runs scored across two games against Creighton and San Diego State.

As USD keeps rolling along to a tune of a five-game win streak, Springer’s impact only grows. 

It’s safe to say the Toreros found a good one.