ANAHEIM — The Canyon softball team collected 13 hits and batted around in two different innings in a 9-5 victory over El Modena in a Crestview League game Thursday at Canyon High School.

The Vanguards had their share of offense also, scoring all five runs via home runs.

Canyon starter Bella Settembro had 13 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, helping the Comanches (11-3, 1-1) even their record in a Crestview League that is stacked with talented teams.

Pitcher Bella Settembro of Canyon pitches against El Modena in a Crestview League softball game at Canyon High School in Anaheim on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“She had a heck of a day,” Canyon coach Jess Carbajal said of Settembro.

The Vanguards (9-2, 1-1) came into the game as the county’s No.1-ranked team, advancing to the top spot after winning the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz., on March 8.

The Comanches, who had been the county’s top team, dropped two spots to No. 3 after losing to El Modena in the tournament, but the rankings could change again after this week’s results, which include No. 9 Pacifica beating Canyon 5-0 on Tuesday in a league game.

Canyon sent 10 hitters to the plate in the third Thursday, scoring all five runs in the inning with two outs.

After Canyon scored the first run on an error, No. 4 hitter Samantha Gresham doubled home two more runs and then BYU commit Irma Urincho and Ava DiGiambattista each singled in a run to give the Comanches a 5-0 lead after three innings.

El Modena got two runs back in the fourth when No. 5 hitter Kylie Tafua crushed a two-run home run over the fence in center field.

The Vanguards hit two more singles before Settembro struck out the final two hitters to get out of the inning.

Settembro, who has committed to UC San Diego, had seven strikeouts heading into the fourth and then retired three hitters with strikeouts in the fifth, giving up a two-out single in between.

Canyon padded its lead with a four-run fifth, including a hit batter with the bases loaded to force in a run and an RBI single from Maya Valenzuela.

“Our offense was so good today,” Settembro said. “Nine runs. I felt so easy on the mound. This was one of the best hitting innings I’ve seen. It was a full team effort. Everyone from pinch runners to bunts. It was a perfect offensive game.”

Sofia Ramos led off the sixth with a home run and Kaitlyn Galasso hit a two-run homer two batters later, ending the day for Settembro.

Jordan Simmons came in with no outs and after walking the first batter, struck out the next hitter got and the second out on a fielder’s choice.

Shortstop Jade Diaz then made a great stop on a ball hit deep in the hole by Kylie Campana and made the long throw to first to retire Campana for the final out of the game.

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