Kayla Fortner has joined the Butler softball staff as an assistant coach. Head coach Scott Hall made the announcement Thursday, July 6.

Fortner will serve as the program's hitting and outfield coach, while being involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, scouting and team travel. Butler assistant coach Stacey Goyette will also return for her second season, overseeing the team's pitching staff.

"I'm excited for Kayla to join our program," said Hall, who enters his eighth season as head coach at Butler. "She brings strong credentials from a very successful playing career, and has learned a lot as a young coach over the past few seasons. I know that she'll develop relationships with our current roster and future recruits that will have a positive impact on Butler softball."

Fortner spent last season as the assistant coach at Quincy University in Illinois. On the field, she had responsibilities for the team's hitting and outfielders. She also served as the program's camp coordinator and academic coordinator, among other duties.

Prior to joining the Quincy staff, Fortner was a student assistant at her alma mater, Southeast Missouri State, for the 2016 season. During her collegiate playing career, she also served as a volunteer assistant coach at the high school level, and as an assistant coach with several St. Louis-area travel teams.

Fortner played one season at Southeast Missouri State, leading the team in batting average (.389), runs scored (42), doubles (10), home runs (16), RBI (48), slugging percentage (.832), on-base percentage (.523), walks (33) and games started (46) as a senior. She was named NFCA second team all-region and first team All-Ohio Valley Conference. She led the league in slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while finishing second in batting average, home runs and walks. She is SEMO's single-season home run record holder.
 
The Cedar Hill, Mo. native played her first three collegiate seasons at the University of Evansville, amassing 24 home runs to rank second in UE's career record book.