FORMER HORNET APRIL HUDDLESTON NAMED TENTH EMPORIA STATE SOFTBALL COACH

Softball | 10/19/2015 10:43:00 AM

October 19, 2015-Emporia State University Director of Athletics Kent Weiser has announced that former Hornet, April Huddleston, will be the tenth head coach of the Hornet softball program. An introductory press conference will be held on Friday, October 23.

"This program has been a part of my life for the last decade and I can't wait to take the next step in my coaching career at my alma mater," said Huddleston.  "Hornet softball is more than just a program, it's a family and a tradition. The blood, sweat, and tears past players and coaches have put forth won't be lost and I look forward to continuing the success and building on it for years to come."

 Huddleston just completed her seventh season as an assistant with the Hornets and has served as a Graduate Recruitment and Grant Development Specialist for the Graduate School at Emporia State for the last year. She assisted in all facets of the Hornet softball program under both coach Kristi Bredbenner and Julie LeMaire after her all-conference playing career at Emporia State.
 
"When this position opened, I felt the time was right to look at our former softball student-athletes, those who built the program into what it is today, those who have invested some sweat equity, if you will," said Weiser. "April Huddleston exemplifies the hard work and passion for Emporia State Softball that sets the program apart from others."
 
Huddleston was a member of both the Lady Hornets national runner-up teams. She hit .324 with 30 RBI and played nearly every game at shortstop during the 2008 season as the Hornets advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. She was named First Team All-MIAA at shortstop after batting .512 in conference action with 13 RBI and was stellar in the field as well with just three errors in 56 chances. In her junior year with the Hornets, Huddleston was fifth in the MIAA in on-base percentage at .471 on the season, hit .336 with four home runs and 30 RBI and was ranked ninth in the nation in hit by pitch with 16 on the year. Originally recruited by former Hornet and current Iowa State coach Stacy Gemeinhardt, Huddleston redshirted during the 2006 season with the Hornets due to three knee surgeries. She played a vital role in the dugout as the Lady Hornets went 62-7 on the year and finished second in the nation.

"I firmly believe April Huddleston has the skill, talent, and dedication needed to help our program maintain its championship level, and to help us reach even greater heights," said Weiser.

She is a 2005 graduate of Johnson County Community College. In her two years there, she earned all-region and all-district honors and twice led the Cavaliers to the post-season. She batted .452, slugged .661 with a .567 on-base percentage over the course of her career. Huddleston was also a NFCA All-Academic performer.

"I would like to thank Kent Weiser for this opportunity and am excited to be back in the Hornet athletics family on a full-time basis," said Huddleston. "I would also like to thank Julie LeMaire for our time spent together as a staff while she led the Lady Hornets and wish her the best of luck."

A 2003 graduate of Jefferson West HS she led the Tigers in nearly every offensive category and was a team captain her junior and senior years.
 
The Hornets have been one of the premier softball programs in the nation over the last 15 years. They have the best record in the MIAA in the 21st century, posting a record of 230-92 (.714) in conference action and 653-268 (.709) overall since 2000. Emporia State finished as the NCAA Division II National Runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2008, qualified for NCAA Regional play 11 straight years from 2004-14 and made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 20 seasons. The Hornets won the NAIA National Championship in 1983 and 1984 and won the AIAW National Championship in 1980.

Coach Huddleston is currently on a recruiting trip for the Emporia State Graduate School. A press conference will be held to formally introduce Coach Huddleston on Friday, October 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the Blue Key Room of the Emporia State Memorial Union.  The press conference will be streamed live at http://livestream.com/emporiastate