Former Hornet softball player, April Huddleston, will be taking over the head coaching position, according to Kent Weiser, athletic director. The announcement makes Huddleston the 10th coach in program history.

Huddleston was a member of both the Lady Hornets’ national runner-up teams from 2006 and 2008. While she was forced to sit out on the 2006 season due to knee injury, she was a major factor in the Hornets run two years later. She hit .324 with 30 RBI, playing nearly every game at shortstop during the 2008 season, and was named First Team All-MIAA. She was an impressive fielder, committing only three errors in 56 chances.

In addition to her extensive playing career, Huddleston is already familiar with coaching and volunteering for the program. She just completed her seventh season as an assistant with the Hornets and has served as a graduate recruiter and grant development specialist for the Graduate School at Emporia State for the last year. 

Huddleston will try to continue the recent success of the Emporia State softball program. Over the last 15 years, the Hornets have recorded the best record in the MIAA with a 230-92 mark in conference action and 653-268 mark overall since 2000.

A press conference will be held to formally introduce Huddleston tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Blue Key Room of the Memorial Union.