BELLEROSE, N.Y. — In a display of efficient pitching and dynamic offense, the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. – Brooklyn softball team opened the 2025 season with 20-0 and 22-0 wins over York College (N.Y.) on Friday afternoon in Queens.

Vivian Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) and Kamryn Walls (Middle Village, N.Y.) each went 4-for-4 in the first game, while Olivia Martinez (Tomball, Texas) achieved the same feat in the second game. In the circle, Makena Burr (Foster City, Calif.) recorded 14 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five innings. Later, Autumn Poppett (San Diego, Calif.) tossed the 24th no-hitter in program history.

How it Happened (Game 1)

Garcia drove in the game's first run before scoring the Bears' second early in the first. Poppett delivered a two-out two-RBI double to left center to increase the advantage to 4-0 at the end of the frame.

An 11-run second inning broke the game open. Back-to-back two-RBI hits from Garcia and Payton Walker (Eastvale, Calif.) saw the SJBK lead grow to 8-0. At 9-0 with the bases juiced, Audrey Scott (Rocklin, Calif.) cleared the bags with a triple to left field before scoring on Hannah Whitson's (Silverdale, Wash.) base knock, 13-0. In her second plate appearance of the stanza, Garcia hit a two-run inside-the-park home run to place York in a 15-0 hole.

The Bears scored six runs over the next three innings – with Poppett driving in a pair thanks to a third-inning triple and fifth-inning single – to secure the 20-0 win, their first of the new year.

How it Happened (Game 2)

The Bears' hot bats carried into game two as they put a six-spot in the top of the first. Walls, Scott, Martinez, and Kiara Coy (Clifton, N.J.) all drove in runs in the inning. St. Joseph's again led 15-0 after two; highlighted by another Scott triple and two-RBI hits from Jessica Jakob (Covina, Calif.) and Brielle Nelson (Chandler, Ariz.).

Leading 18-0, Lauren Van Der Kamp's (Sacramento, Calif.) double down the left field line; plating Martinez and increasing the lead to 19-0. A quiet fourth was followed by a two-run fifth behind singles from Martinez and Valarie Scott (Tucson, Ariz.), confirming the Bears' 22-0 victory.

For the Bears (Game 1)

• Garcia delivered five RBI and scored a game-high four runs.

• Poppett also drove in five runs while scoring two as she batted 3-for-3. She and A. Scott were both a home run short of hitting for the cycle.

• A. Scott finished 3-for-4 with four RBI.

• Walls had a pair of doubles in her first collegiate contest.

• Walker registered a double, three RBI, and two runs scored.

• Burr's 14 strikeouts are a career-best. The win was her seventh career complete game.

For the Bears (Game 2)

• Poppett registered the program's first no-hitter since Brooke Horn against Lehman in 2023. Earlier that season, she was part of a duo that threw a combined no-hitter against Yeshiva, alongside Leila Heller (Belle Chasse, La.). She struck out six Cardinals.

• Martinez had three RBI and as many runs scored in her 4-for-4 outing.

• Nelson, Coy, and V. Scott all picked up their first collegiate hits in the contest.

• Walls and A. Scott batted 2-for-3; each with two runs scored and a combined five RBI.

• Whitson finished 2-for-2, with two RBI, and two runs.

• Burr scored twice.

Up Next

The Bears head to Florida for the week as they participate in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. They begin play on Monday, March 17 at 9 am against Geneva College before taking on Alverno College, the first of three games in as many days against the Inferno, at 11 am.