Swinging into Softball

by Dylan Seymore

A Troy softball player has been named the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year for the first time in program history. 

Kelly Horne, a senior from Tallahassee, Florida, is the eighth  ranked second baseman in the country by D1 Softball and the seventh ranked second baseman by Extra Innings Softball. 

Horne led the Trojan softball team last season in batting average, home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and walks. Horne is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection; she enters the season fifth all-time in program history with 28 home runs and 104 walks. The Trojan softball team is in a new era with first-year head coach Eric Newell. 

“On and off the field, I want the program to be viewed as high regards,”  Newell said. “From a win-loss perspective, we want to send this team to regionals. 

“The dream is to turn this thing into a top 25 program year in and year out.” 

The Trojans are fourth in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll behind Louisiana, Texas State and South Alabama. The Trojans open up their 2023 season at home in the Trojan Classic against the SIUE Cougars on Friday at 2 p.m.