Like a coin, Gabby Sprang has two distinct facets. And the sophomore pitcher easily flips from one to the other when she dons the Rosemount uniform.
Sprang is a friendly, light-hearted person who likes to laugh and be a jokester off the field. On the field, however, the 6-foot-1 left-hander changes into a serious and determined competitor who is focused outduelling her opponents.
“I’m really competitive, so I want to win. And on the field, I will do anything I can to win,” Sprang said. “But off the field, I have fun with my teammates and I’ll joke around and we’ll laugh.”
Sprang’s on-field persona was on display Wednesday in a home matchup with South Suburban Conference rival Eastview as she struck out seven and walked one to help the Irish outlast the Lightning 4-3.
Sprang gave up two hits in the complete-game victory, her fifth in six starts. She has allowed only seven hits and seven walks in 42 innings pitched this season, and her 43 strikeouts are 10th-best in the state.
Miscues plagued Rosemount throughout the game and Eastview took advantage by scoring three runs on six Irish errors.
However, Sprang’s competitive side kept her team on task, and she sealed the victory by striking out two of the final three Lightning batters.
Rosemount coach Tiffany Rose said the duality makes Sprang the ultimate competitor, but also keeps her from getting after teammates for miscues.
“There was no point (today) that she was yelling at her team,” Rose added.
“She’s calmed and relaxed because she is really light-hearted about things,” Rose added. “But when she is on the mound, she’s working hard and she’s getting down to business.”
Sprang handles the emotional ups and downs of a game so well because she’s developed a maturity level well beyond others her age, Rose said.
It’s a behavior shaped by Sprang’s rise through the Irish’s softball program. She began her varsity career in seventh grade and has started on the mound since eighth grade.
Despite being an underclassman, Sprang is team leader thanks to that experience and her talent. And it’s a role she’s grown into.
“When I was a seventh grader, I was a lot quieter,” Sprang said. “Now, I feel like I can be a leader on the field. I’m not a captain, but I can still be a leader just because I’ve been on the team for so long.”
In several aspects of her high school career, Sprang started earlier than most. She joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth grader and also wasted no time in committing to play softball at the University of Tennessee, making the decision as a freshman.
Rose isn’t surprised by the success of her ace pitcher and said it’s due to Sprang’s work ethic.
“She works hard in the offseason, which is great for our girls to see that,” Rose said. “It takes a little extra to be in the situation that Gabby is in.”
Sprang height is one trait that has allowed her to rise above the rest. Rose said being tall is a challenge for some, but Sprang’s height only increases the level of her game.
“Being 6-foot-1, she’s tall with long arms and long legs,” Rose said. “It’s not easy for her to throw, but she obviously has things working to her advantage opposed to a pitcher who is 5-foot-6. Her stride is long and she is closer to the plate. I think she has more speed because she is tall. She has a lot of the physical advantages, which make her - in some sense - a little bit better.”
As much as Rose - and the rest of the team - appreciate Sprang’s contributions on the field, they value her off-field personality even more.
It’s their favorite side of the coin.
“Gabby is very friendly and light-hearted and she is really funny to be around,” Rose said. “Those are the great things about her outside of softball.”
