Salmen senior shortstop Preslie Long has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Central Arkansas.

“I’ve always wanted to play softball since I was little and the opportunity came up to play Division I, so I was really excited,” Long said.

Long said her decision came down to Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, Fla., and Central Arkansas. Long said she felt Central Arkansas would be a better fit.

Salmen'€™s Preslie Long signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Central Arkansas. She is pictured in the first row flanked by her grandma Donnie Long and dad Gary Long. Standing in the second row: Athletic director Mike Leland, her hitting coach and Long'€™s hitting coach Charlie Hickman, travel team softball coach Ben Guidry and Salmen softball coach Mike Vivien. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

She also talked about the Central Arkansas coaches.

“We have a pretty good relationship. I’ve already gone on my official visits. I can’t wait,” Long said.

Last year, Salmen’s softball team made it to postseason as a 28th seed before Belle Chasse beat them in the bi-district round, 5-0. Long had the Lady Spartans lone hit.

Salmen softball coach Mike Vivien said Long is the type of student athlete you look for.

“She does so many things to stay active. It’s a credit to her hard work and her desire to excel in everything she tries to do, whether it be on the softball field, volleyball court or track. She also does the same in the classroom, so everything she tries to do, she seems to have a lot of success at,” Vivien said.

Long, who is not sure whether she is going to be starting yet, said she also got letters other schools including, Auburn, Belhaven, Mississippi State.

Long, who was named as a first-team all-district infielder last year, talked about her biggest accomplishments at Salmen.

“Definitely being an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ honor-roll student and playing as many sports as I can,” Long said.

She has a 3.6 grade point average. Long also played on the Lady Spartans’ volleyball team. The team made it to the playoffs her junior season before getting knocked out in the first round. Long said she is sticking with one sport in college.

During the track meet last year, Long took third in the 300-meter hurdles (52.70) and fourth in the javelin (88-11).

Preslie is the daughter of Gary Long of Slidell and Tammy West of Pearl River.