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ANAHEIM — The resiliency and focus of Canyon’s softball team paid dividends again Monday in the demanding Crestview League.

The top-ranked Comanches scored all of their runs with two outs and received a four-hitter from Arizona State-bound Kylee Magee to defeat host No. 3 Esperanza 7-1 to claim at least a share of the league championship.

Canyon (23-4, 4-1) can capture the title outright and clinch an automatic CIF-SS Division 3 playoff berth on Wednesday by defeating visiting No. 2 Villa Park (22-4, 3-2), which beat Foothill 9-3 in another league game Monday.

A loss for the Comanches on Wednesday could usher in multiple playoff scenarios — from a potential league coin flip to at-large spots — but Coach Jess Carbajal’s team has delivered its turnaround season by avoiding similar distractions.

Just like Monday.

“I knew we had to win this (game) and then it was going to be up to whatever happens on Wednesday,” he said. “I’m so proud of these girls.”

Magee worked out of a few jams en route to eight strikeouts. She held Esperanza’s hitters to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position as Canyon bounced back from a 2-0 loss to the Aztecs (16-11, 3-2) in the first round of league.

“Our league this year is just so good. I’ve never had a league like this before,” Magee said. “We just have to start giving ourselves a higher standard (to aim for).”

Junior right fielder Dakota Friedrich, Canyon’s No. 7 batter, helped lead the offense with a three-run home run to left with two outs in the seventh. Her third home run of the season extended Canyon’s lead to 7-1.

The Comanches also scored two runs on a two-out single to center by No. 8 batter Kendall Nevin in the third. Canyon scored the second run on the play on an errant throw from the outfield.

And in the second inning, the Comanches scored on a two-out, bases-loaded walk drawn by leadoff batter Bella Fraser and a single by freshman center fielder Samantha Gresham.

“We really want to win,” said Friedrich, who went 2 for 3 and scored three runs. “Even though we had two outs, we were still fighting.”

Seven different players recorded hits for Canyon. The Comanches also backed Magee with error-free defense.

In the sixth, Friedrich threw out a potential leadoff base runner by fielding a sharp grounder into right field and firing to first baseman Jessalyn Gallegos for the assist.

Freshman shortstop Bella Settembro also snagged a low liner in the fifth.

Last season, Canyon missed the playoffs as Magee struggled with COVID-19. The Comanches have roared back this spring, which includes winning the Michelle Carew Classic.

“Looking back a year ago to where we are now, big difference. Just a whole different team,” Carbajal said. “Kylee brings a whole different level of energy and everybody just rallies around each other.”

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Esperanza took advantage of two walks by Magee in the fourth to score a run on a single by Makenna Milliman. Magee struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

UC Riverside-bound Brooke Perez allowed three earned runs in three innings, struck out four and gave up five walks. The Aztecs play host to Foothill on Wednesday.