AUBURN, Ala. – Kaylee Horton, a three-year starter at Ole Miss, will join the Auburn softball program for the 2021 season, head coach Mickey Dean announced today.

Horton was an SEC All-Defensive Team selection in 2019 as she started all 61 games for the Rebels in right field, making just one error on the season for a .971 fielding percentage. She hit .289 as a junior, scoring 31 runs and driving in 28, tying for second in the SEC with five triples.

"We are excited to add Kaylee to our roster, as she is someone who has a proven successful career playing in the SEC," Dean said. "She has versatility playing both the infield and outfield, and is a proven offensive player against the highest level of competition."

A native of Jasper, Ala., Horton was one of the top base-stealers in the league a year ago, going 23-for-29 on stolen base attempts to rank fourth in the SEC. She also drove in the winning run in Ole Miss' victory over Louisiana-Lafayette in the regional final to send the Rebels to the Super Regional for the first time in program history.

As a sophomore, she hit .276 to rank fourth on the team while starting 47 games between the outfield and second base. During that season, she had a seven-game hitting streak and was second on the team with 13 multi-hit games. Her freshman season saw her start 49 games at second base, where she hit .270, scored 23 runs and drove in 11 more.

Horton was a five-year letter-winner at Curry High School, leading her team to 4A state titles in 2015 and 2016. She was a MaxPreps and FloSoftball All-American, and a two-time all-state selection as a .613 career hitter in high school.