Baseball | 9/5/2025 9:29:00 AM
September 5, 2025-Emporia State will formally introduce John Martin as the next Hornet baseball coach on Tuesday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the Skyline Room of the ESU Memorial Union.
Emporia State Director of AthleticsÂ
Steve Rodecap will formally introduce Martin at 1:30 p.m. and they will both briefly take questions from the podium. Martin and Rodecap along with selected Hornet players will be available after the formal press conference for interviews.
An Emporia State alum, Martin is the sixth head coach of the Hornet baseball program since 1973. He has spent the last ten seasons at MIAA rival Central Oklahoma and led the Bronchos to five NCAA Tournaments and two MIAA Championships, including the MIAA Tournament Title last May. The former Hornet catcher went 318-181-1 during his ten years in Edmond.
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Martin has had a trio of Major League Baseball draft picks. Holden Capps was picked in the eighth round by the Kansas City Royals in 2017, Austin Lambright was picked in the 10th round by the Royals in 2018, and Spencer Van Scoyoc was also taken in the 19th round in 2019. Dylan Hall was also signed by the New York Mets following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. UCO had 30 players earn a combined 38 All-MIAA selections since 2016. Ten have earned All-Region honors, and six were named All-Americans under Martin's leadership.
He was 133-105 as the head coach at Coffeyville CC and guided the Ravens to the super-regional all four years, one of just two teams in the junior college ranks to accomplish that feat during that time.
A native of Shawnee, Kan., Martin played one year at Hutchinson CC before coming to ESU for his three-year career as the starting catcher. During his senior season he hit .303 and was the 2006 Roger Newell Award Winner. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the draft.
Martin returned to Emporia State to start his college coaching career in 2008 as assistant coach, directing the pitchers and catchers. He helped the Hornets to a 134-42 record during his three-year tenure, including a national runner-up finish in 2009.
The press conference will be carried live on the MIAA Network.
