Martinez is finding her groove in the circle at just the right time for the 7-6 Indians, who are now 4-0 in the Trans Valley League.

The four-time defending champion has once again emerged as the frontrunner, thanks in large part to the junior pitcher who transferred from St. Mary’s.

Last Tuesday, March 25, she anchored a 2-0 win over Hilmar, scattering just five hits while retiring 12 of the last 13 batters she faced. The Indians then faced Hughson in a first-place battle on Thursday, winning 4-3 in eight innings with Abigail Stewart providing the walk-off hit. Martinez fired nine strikeouts and aided in Ripon’s 15-hit attack with a 2-for-4 effort and an RBI. She finished 3-for-7 for the week at the plate.

“She has played a huge part in streak,” Ripon coach Tanner Jordan said. “Her getting into rhythm has been huge for us this season. She’s keeping us in games with her abilities, and it’s great to see one of those players that’s very unselfish and does anything her team needs step up for the team.”

Martinez has helped fill a void left by two-time All-TVL MVP Kharime “Mims” Caratachea, who now pitches for San Francisco State.

Ripon got off to a rocky start in the post-Caratachea era, dropping four of its first five. Pitching and defense have keyed the turnaround.

In TVL play, Martinez sports a tidy 0.24 earned run average with 30 strikeouts, 22 hits allowed and nine walks over 29 innings.