Danny Stipanovich is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tolleson Union High School for AZPreps365.com.

The last time the Tolleson High softball team lost a game was on March 3, 2020, back when people could ride Ubers without masks. 

Tolleson’s 11-2 victory at Trevor G. Browne High School on Tuesday marked their 24th win in a row. 

After winning their last two games in 2020 before COVID-19 canceled their season, head coach Fred Ramirez and his Wolverines proceeded to go an undefeated 14-0 in 2021 and have won the opening eight games this year. 

“I don't think we feel any pressure,” Ramirez said. “They know how to win, and we’ve been doing it for a while.”

Ramirez credits his team’s success to their hard work done at the practice field. Even though the Wolverines have been perfect during the regular season for over two years, Ramirez said his team takes the ride game by game and has coached his girls up to believe that there is no pressure on them because of how talented they are.

Superstar shortstop senior Viviana Martinez said the win streak came as no surprise because of the confidence she has in her team’s talent. 

“I think we’re very relaxed and I think that’s why we’re doing so well against these teams,” Martinez said. “We don’t have any pressure and we’re not scared to play. We don’t have that fear.”

Martinez led the team in hits, going three for four on Tuesday with a home run, a double and a single. She reached home on her double after a failed cut-off throw in the first inning to give the Wolverines their first run of the day. 

“I’m kind of glad they’re pitching to me because this feels like practice too. I want to get some hitting in,” Martinez said. 

The University of Texas commit is hitting .720 with 18 hits and five home runs through just eight games. 

“She’s amazing. She can do anything from hitting (to) fielding,” junior pitcher Jolissa Valdez said. “She can do it all.”

Valdez pitched three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit in her start. The right-hander also smashed a three-run homer over the center-field wall in the third frame to give Tolleson a comforting 6-0 lead. 

“Jolissa pitched amazing as always,” Martinez said. “She has her changeup and it always works striking people out.”

Sophomore pitcher Makayla Lara relieved the last three innings and gave up one earned run in the fifth. 

Tuesday’s win broke the Wolverine's five-game shutout streak without allowing a run where they outscored opponents 62-0. 

Even though Tolleson takes its games one at a time, the team has its eyes on one prize.

“The goal is to win a state championship of course,” Martinez said. 

Tolleson will look to extend its magic number to 25 next Tuesday versus Copper Canyon at 6 p.m.