Emporia State athletics announced departmental changes today. Head softball coach April Rosales has stepped down following ten years with the program and will become Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. She will also be the Senior Woman Administrator. She replaces Colleen Mischke in the role, who was hired by former athletic director David Spafford in 2023. Rosales finishes her ESU coaching career with a 270-245 record and led the Lady Hornets to one NCAA Tournament appearance. A ESU Hall of Honor member, Rosales, then as April Huddleston, was a key member of two ESU teams that finished as national runner-up and was a First Team All-MIAA honoree at shortstop.
Her assistant coach Megan Hill has been named interim head coach. It will be Hill’s third season with the club after returning to her alma mater in 2023. She performed head coaching duties during most of the 2024 season while Rosales was away on pregnancy leave. Hill previously was the head coach at Northern Oklahoma College and El Dorado High School. Hill is also a member of the E-State Hall of Honor and graduated with Lady Hornet and MIAA records for career hits, doubles, homers, and RBIs. She was a two-time All-American at third base and earned all-conference status each year in Emporia.
The Lady Hornets are set to return eight starters from last year’s 31-23 team. ESU opens the season January 30 at the Lone Star Classic in Mansfield, Texas. Opening Day at the Trusler Sports Complex is set for March 8.
