[May 28, 2008]

May 28, 2008
By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Outfielder John Long of Southern Arkansas has been named to both the Daktronics and Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association Division II All-America Baseball Teams. Long was a first team selection on the Daktronics squad and was a second team pick on the Rawlings/ABCA team.

A 5-9, 175-pound senior leftfielder from Smackover, Long was one of three outfielders, and the only Gulf South Conference player, chosen on the Daktronics first team, while he and Ouachita Baptist starting pitcher Steve Smith were the highest GSC selections on the Rawlings/ABCA team.

Earlier named first team on both the Daktronics and Rawlings/ABCA All-South Central Region teams, Long led the Muleriders this season hitting .415 with an .800 slugging percentage. He had team-highs of 18 home runs, 21 doubles, 74 RBI, 164 total bases, and had two triples. A First Team All-GSC honoree, Long was twice named the GSC West Division Player of the Week this year. His 164 total bases set the new SAU season record and he tied a single game mark with six runs scored. Playing and starting in all 58 games, Long had 85 hits, scored 60 runs, drew 23 walks, and had a .479 on-base percentage and a .978 fielding percentage from his position in left field.

Long becomes the fourth player in the Southern Arkansas baseball program to be selected a first team All-American, the second since becoming affiliated with the NCAA, and the 24th All-American overall.

The Muleriders concluded the season with a 46-12 record, tying the school mark for wins, and advanced to the NCAA regional for the third time, reaching the semi-finals.