University of Minnesota Duluth baseball seniors
Gabe Richardson and
Michael Gabbard were named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District® Baseball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, to recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes baseball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Richardson becomes a three-time CSC Academic All-District selection after claiming in the honor in both 2024-25 and 2023-24. The Eau Claire, Wis. native owned a 3.93 GPA while majoring in Mechanical Engineering at UMD and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced June 23, 2026.
Richardson, a 2026 NSIC All-Conference First Team selection, ranked sixth in the NSIC with 16 doubles and 13th with a batting average of .354 in conference play. Overall, Richardson had 63 hits and 17 doubles to pair with six home runs and 44 RBIs (which also ranked 15th in the conference.) The senior led UMD in batting average, on base percentage (.444), hits (63), RBs and slugging percentage (.547). Richardson graduated from UMD with .339 career batting average, 230 hits, 44 doubles, 19 home runs and 147 RBIs. He leaves with the most games played in program history – 195, and tied for the fourth most hits – 230. He also cracked the five spot all-time with his 44 RBIS – the fifth most in a career in program history.
Gabbard makes his second CSC Academic All-District Team after earning the accolade in 2023-24. The product of Prior Lake, Minn. carried a 3.72 en route to graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering at UMD this past May. Gabbard owned a career-best .320 batting average this spring with 48 hits and 33 runs. The infielder batted in 22 RBIs complete with five home runs and four doubles.
Gabbard finished his career with 137 games started and a .302 batting average, along with 150 hits and 22 RBIs. He also had 509 career putouts, 156 assists and a fielding percentage of .972.
