Lander’s Sherrod, UNG’s Opata Named ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans

GREENSBORO, NC — Lander’s Grant Sherrod and North Georgia’s Andrews Opata were named All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Sherrod was named a second-team All-American with Opata named third team. The organization also released its All-Region teams.

Opata earns his second All-America honor this week after being recognized by the D2CCA on Wednesday. Opata finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally in runs (87) and hits (96). Both marks rank as the third-most single season totals in program history in their respective categories. He also ended the year ranked ninth in NCAA Division II in stolen bases with 42 swipes on the year, which ranks as the second-most in a single season in program history. 

A hitting machine with a regular-season batting average of .380, Opata led the team with 31 multi-hit games this year. A menace for opposing pitchers, the Lawrenceville, Ga. native also ranked second on the team in on-base percentage (.450) and slugging (.574).

Opata had 15 multi-RBI games this season which also ranked second on the team. His 62 RBIs ranked among the top 65 hitters nationally. 

The center fielder smacked a career-high 11 home runs in 2025 as well.

Sherrod, a redshirt senior and the Peach Belt Conference’s batting champion, capped off his final collegiate season with a .408 average. He led the Bearcats with 97 hits, 19 doubles, 11 home runs, and 76 RBIs, while compiling a .626 slugging percentage and a .496 on-base percentage—both among the top marks in the region. He finished second in the country in total hits, ninth in hits per game at 1.70, and ranked 38th nationally in batting average. His 1.33 RBIs per game were also good for 23rd in the nation. The Sumner, Washington native was previously honored as the NCBWA Southeast Region Player of the Week on March 10 and now advances to the ABCA All-American ballot.