Heading into the top of the seventh inning of Thursday’s CIF Southern Section Division 2 softball playoff game against El Dorado, Palos Verdes had a four-run lead while starting pitcher Daniella Boccanfuso had scattered two hits over the first six innings.

Boccanfuso dug in after she gave up two runs in the seventh and finished off the Sea Kings’ 4-2 win.

“(El Dorado) just started putting the bat on the ball, getting base hits and started to get momentum,” Boccanfuso said. “I calmed myself down. My defense came in and I told them we had two outs, let’s just get this done. I stayed calm and composed and we got the win.”

Palos Verdes (20-7) will visit Linfield Christian for a second-round game today.

The Sea Kings scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning against El Dorado (17-12) and starter Emily Yoon.

After loading the bases on a pair of hits and a walk, PV pushed a run across on Maven Ding’s walk before Adela Randazzo was hit by a pitch to make it 2-0.

Addie Eroen beat out an infield single that scored two runs thanks to Ding’s aggressive base running, and that gave Palos Verdes a 4-0 lead.

That was all the run support Buccanfuso needed.

“I love pitching with the lead,” said Buccanfuso, who allowed four hits overall. “I think it helps me work on my spots, focus on things and keep the momentum within my team.”

The right-hander struck eight and walked three while stranding nine runners on base.

She ran into trouble in the third after walking two with two outs before getting Kennedy Calderon to ground out to end the inning.

Boccanfuso, who noted her drop curve and her changeup were her most dominant pitches Thursday, stranded a pair in the fifth and retired six consecutive before running into trouble in the seventh.

In the seventh, Renay Chavez beat out an infield single and Sydney Huang followed with single. Jess Cherms’ single drove in a run and Calderion added an RBI single to make it 4-2.

“I’m a little bit nervous, obviously,” Palos Verdes coach Ashley Hughes said of the seventh inning. “I trust (Boccanfuso) and my defensive players, and I know that they’re going to dig deep and they’re going to get it done. In the end, it’s all about trust.”

With both El Dorado runners in scoring position, Boccanfuso got Remmi Marquez to line out to Randazzo in center field to end the game.

After the first inning, PV’s lineup was held in check by Yoon. She allowed three hits, all in the first inning, walked three and struck out five through six innings.

“It wasn’t what we hoped for,” Hughes said. “Four in the first is great, but going quiet for five innings isn’t ideal. We just have to be more consistent both on the field and in the dugout with our energy and with our bats.”

Hughes noted that her team, with a starting nine that includes three freshmen and three sophomores, doesn’t have much playoff experience.

“Obviously, some things we have to clean up as far as defensively, and we just have to keep our heads and not let the adrenaline overtake us,” Hughes said. “I think that’s part of getting experience. We’re pretty young on the field, so the experience and adrenaline sometimes is a little bit too much, but learn from your mistakes and we’ll move forward.”

Bishop Montgomery 5, Providence 0: Macey Kim pitched a five-hit shutout and struck out five for the Knights (16-5) in the round of the Division 5 playoffs. Kim also had two hits and an RBI. Abigail Green had two hits and Molly Forbess drove in two runs.

Bishop Montgomery will play at West Ranch today.

Redondo 2, Yucaipa 1: Abby Luis and Kendra Mura hit home runs and Bailey Murray pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts in the Division 2 playoff win.

Redondo will be on the road today against La Serna.

El Segundo 5, Cypress 4 (9 innings): Marilyn McCaverty’s two-run, walk-off hit led lifted the Eagles (23-5) to a Division 1 first-round win.

Sienna Mayer had two doubles and Carter Cswaykus had two hits and two RBIs.

El Segundo will visit Notre Dame in the second round.

Lennox Academy 17, Valley Christian Academy 4: Michel Estrada drove in four runs and Antonella Casillas had three hits in the Division 8 first-round win for the Panthers (15-8).

The Panthers will host Nuview Bridge today.

Also in Division 8, Hawthorne defeated Bolsa Grande 20-10. The Cougars will visit Rancho Alamitos in the second round.