BROOKLYN, N.Y. — For the second time in four seasons, the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. – Brooklyn softball team led the nation in batting average; resulting in the program's fifth NCAA Statistical Championship, as confirmed by the NCAA on Monday.

With a .402 batting average this season, the team set a new program record for the highest single-season average, surpassing the previous best of .400 set in 2004. This achievement marks their strongest offensive performance since attaining full Division III membership ahead of the 2012 season.

St. Joseph's is the only school in the nation to bat over .400 this season, surpassing NCAA Championship Finals participant Linfield University (.395) and the University of Wisconsin-Superior (.387). The team also led Division III with a .477 on-base percentage, edging Linfield (.461) and 2024 national champions East Texas Baptist University (.445).

Sophomore Vivian Garcia (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt) led the team with a .504 average, ranking second in the Skyline Conference and ninth nationally. Skyline Player of the Year Payton Walker (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt) finished with a .490 average, placing in the Division III top 20. Audrey Scott (Rocklin, Calif./Whitney) and Lauren Van Der Kamp (Sacramento, Calif./Rosemont) also ranked in the Skyline's top ten (.443 and .427, respectively).

The program has previously secured four NCAA Statistical Championships, all in 2022, leading the nation in batting average, runs per game, and doubles per game. That same season saw Ashleigh Hartwig '22 earn an individual statistical title in on-base percentage.

The achievement also represents St. Joseph's 13th overall statistical title and second of the 2024-25 year, following the women's volleyball team's 3.66 aces per set.

NCAA Statistical Championships at St. Joseph's Brooklyn:

• 2012 Men's Volleyball (Muhammad Ali Bhatti; 0.71 aces per set)

• 2014 Women's Soccer (Team; 5.94 goals per game)

• 2014 Women's Soccer (Cansu Usta; 36 goals)

• 2014 Women's Soccer (Cansu Usta; 2.25 goals per game)

• 2022 Softball (Team; .393 batting average)

• 2022 Softball (Team; 9.08 runs per game)

• 2022 Softball (Team; 2.76 doubles per game)

• 2022 Softball (Ashleigh Hartwig; .619 on-base percentage)

• 2022 Men's Soccer (Victor Naci; 1.44 goals per game)

• 2022 Men's Soccer (Victor Naci; 3.06 points per game)

• 2023 Men's Volleyball (Team; 13.19 digs per set)

• 2024 Women's Volleyball (Team; 3.66 aces per set)

• 2025 Softball (Team; .402 batting average)