Emporia State University Women's Softball

Huddleston is the tenth head coach of the Hornet softball program. Huddleston has completed her first season as head coach at Emporia State, finishing with a 21-32 record, 9-17 in the MIAA after taking over in November with no seniors on the team. In her first year at the helm, Huddleston had five Hornets named to the Honorable Mention All-MIAA, four on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and two two MIAA Scholar-Athletes. "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 spent seven seasons as an assistant with the Hornets and has served as a Graduate Recruitment and Grant Development Specialist for the Graduate School at Emporia State in 2015. 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. Huddleston Year-by-Year Year          Overall     MIAA 2016          21-32        9-17 Records vs. MIAA Opponents Team                             Record Central Missouri............2-0 Central Oklahoma.........0-2 Fort Hays.......................0-2 Lincoln...........................1-1 Lindenwood...................2-0 Missouri Southern..........0-2 Missouri Western...........0-2 Nebraksa - Kearney.......0-2 Northeastern State.........0-2 Northwest Missouri.........2-0 Pittsburg State................0-2 Southwest Baptist...........1-1 Washburn.......................2-2

Megan Hill was named interim head softball coach at Emporia State in December of 2025 after spending the last two years as an assistant with the Hornets. Hill came to ESU from Enid, Oklahoma where she was the head coach at Northern Oklahoma College. In her first season Hill helped the Hornets improve their team batting average from .276 the year prior to .313, including four players with an average north of .350 for the season. Following the opening weekend of the 2024 season, Hill stepped in for the rest of the season as Coach Rosales was away due to doctor's orders regarding her pregnancy, and helped the Hornets to a 30-15 record over the remainder of the season. In her four years at NOC, Coach Hill’s teams averaged a 3.36 team GPA and 38 athletes earned Academic All-American status. The 2022-2023 season at NOC was the best season the program had seen in 6+ years, compiling statistical bests in record, home runs, stolen bases, team batting average and team ERA. In her 4 years at NOC, Coach Hill had 13 athletes earn all-conference honors. Prior to Northern Oklahoma College, Megan was at El Dorado High school. While in El Dorado, Hill led 18 players to All-League honors in just four seasons, as well as earning the AVCTL Coach of the Year honor for the 2017 season. While Hill was in charge of the program her teams set school records for team batting average, most doubles in a season and most hits in a season. In addition to leading the El Dorado program, Megan also managed a competitive softball organization in the Wichita (Kansas) area. She looked over the functionality of the eight team organization while implementing her philosophy and goals in the entire program. Throughout the eight seasons in the organization, Hill was also head coach for the U14-U18 age groups, competing at the highest tournaments in the region, focusing on the organization goal of getting the athletes recruited. Megan’s organization saw over 50 athletes live their dream of playing at the college level in just eight seasons. Coach Hill returns to ESU where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While at ESU, Megan was a part of the 2006 National Runner-Up team. As a third baseman for the Hornets, Hill earned All-MIAA honors all four years as well as All-Region honors in three seasons and All-American honors in two seasons. Megan was also a four time All-Academic athlete. She left ESU with school and MIAA records in hits, doubles, home runs and RBI. Coach Hill was inducted into the ESU Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2018. Coach Hill is married to James Hill, and they reside in Emporia.  

Dustin Snyder is in his second year with the Hornets, and his first as an assistant coach for the Hornets softball team after helping the Hornets in 2024 as a graduate assistant. He previously spent a year at Florida Gulf Coast University as the volunteer assistant coach, primarily working with the outfielders and catchers. Snyder is originally from Jacksonville, Florida, where his family currently still resides. He graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University (2022) with a degree in Management with a concentration in Sports. He assisted the FGCU softball team during the three years he attended FGCU (2019-2022) and served as the Student Manager.  As student manager, he helped with everyday activities that went on at practice, such as throwing batting practice, hitting fungos to the infield and the outfield, catching bullpens, and assisted in setup and organization of practice.  For the Hornets, Snyder primarily works with the pitchers and catchers, as well as overseeing academics for the Hornets.