Hello, we're back for the second half of the third round over the course of this week. We begin in...
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sleepy B. v. Marsell. The first series of the day, coming in the midst of another long run of red appearance, is 15-ball. Tysini's Marsell won a fairly strong game 1 over Archtown's Sleepy B. with a three-ball run-out to take a 1-0 lead. A late scratch in game 2 by the Arrows' Sleepy B. ended up being her downfall when the Hummingbirds' Marsell used the ball-in-hand for to pot the 15 and go up 2-0. In game 3, a very back-and-forth stanza, Sleepy B. thought she was in good shape until the cue took a deflection off the point of the top side, sending it along the top rail as the 15 fell until it reached and dropped in the top right, giving Marsell a victory in the close game for a 3-0 lead. Sleepy B. continued her gradual improvements by winning game 4 on a three-ball run-out, avoiding the sweep as the series moved to 3-1. During the game, Marsell had the unusual circumstance of one-hopping the cue off the table after getting stuck in a bad position and taking an oddly-planned shot that saw him get too far under the ball. Marsell controlled possession in game 5, but he didn't get to the ball that mattered, as Sleepy B. buried it the first time she saw it, making it a 3-2 series win for Marsell. Ranked #102 in 15-ball, Marsell is through to the fourth round as he shows growth in his sophomore season.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shadow v. Gizmo. This next series is 7-ball as we stay in the northeast region. Web City's Shadow began in game 1 with two on the break, but he also scratched. Central's Gizmo shot back with two in a row, but also scratched, giving the Spiders' Shadow all he needed for a three-ball run-out to go up 1-0 in the series with a fast-paced victory. Shadow went up 2-0 after game 2, ending with a four-ball run-out after a very defensive start to the game, which even saw Shadow surrender possession to the Warriors' Gizmo by illegally potting the 2 on a 5-2 combination because there was no other shot available. Obviously, the plan worked. Gizmo looked more confident in game 3, working around his missed shots as Shadow seemed to lose a step, which became blatantly evident when he left the 7 short for Gizmo to tap-in and win, pushing the series to 2-1. Shadow took the series at 3-1 after Gizmo couldn't corral the 6 in game 4, giving Shadow easy shots to finish off his win. Gizmo took a very lazy game 5, as neither player gave it much effort in the throwaway game. Shadow, ranked #10 in 7-ball, took the series 3-2 and will host Dani of the Capital City Sharpshooters at this venue in the fourth round.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Dusky. We head out to the coast for a series of Rotation to start the afternoon. Archtown's Dusky took a very back-and-forth game 1 by a score of 8-5 over Pacific's Ms. Kitty, executing her final shots to perfection for the win. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty tied it in game 2, winning 8-6 after establishing a big lead early and weathering a four-ball run by the Arrows' Dusky to make it 1-1 in the series. Ms. Kitty made a rally in game 3, as Dusky started off really well but ran into trouble on the 7, which eventually acted as the catalyst of a four-ball run by Ms. Kitty that paced her attack in the 8-4 win for a 2-1 lead. Game 4 acted as the opposite of game 3, with Ms. Kitty getting the hot start but Dusky pulling away late in game, winning 8-6 after pushing Ms. Kitty to the ropes with her defensive posture. Ms. Kitty played game 5 excellently in all facets, using a strong attack early to build her lead, using defense when necessary, and transitioning between the two in stride to frustrate Dusky. Ms. Kitty was rewarded with an 8-2 win to take the series 3-2. Ranked #18 in Rotation, Ms. Kitty will play in the fourth round.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Midnight v. Citrus. We begin a three-pack of Survival with this series from the urban north. Diamond's Citrus took game 1, a very tight game, after Commerce's Midnight ignored the importance of defense, leaving the extra life ball open for the Gems' Citrus, which also served Citrus well in wearing the Tradewinds' Midnight down for a 1-0 lead. Citrus played a similar style in game 2, although her defense at the start of the second rack didn't work. Citrus did hold on in the end, as Midnight rattled the 8 out of the top right, losing a life instead of gaining one to give Citrus a 2-0 lead. Citrus made it 3-0 as Midnight couldn't keep up a strong pace in another tight game, losing in the second rack for a third time with a rattling shot. Midnight's biggest problem has been a lack of steadiness in pressure situations, which is critical for success in Survival. Citrus didn't show up very well in game 4, and Midnight was able to get away with some laziness in making the series 3-1 with her first win. Citrus had a little more staying power in game 5, winning in another lethargically conducted game for a 4-1 series win. Ranked #32 for Survival, Citrus is next set to face Twilight of the Central Warriors at Citrus' home, the Intel Center in Diamond for the fourth round matchup. With the loss, Midnight became the twenty-eighth player eliminated from the tournament. The Commerce Tradewinds have had a season plagued by decidedly average or ever-so-slightly less than average efforts, and it is unknown what will happen to Midnight's future with the team at this time. Citrus recorded her first kill with the victory.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Leonardo. Back on the coast, the middle set of the tripleheader in Survival gets going. After a good start in the first rack of game 1, Todavía's Leonardo made two mistakes in the second rack, allowing Pacific's Starlight to enter cruise control at the end for a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Starlight went to 2-0 in the series with a very tightly played game 2, as Leonardo of the Stills controlled the pace for most the game until near the end of the first rack. The second rack was a bit sloppy, but Leonardo's miss on the 8 was all it took for him to lose. Game 3 saw only five made shots versus nine missed, a disaster by any measure for both players. Leonardo ended up getting away with a terribly sloppy win by making a single extra shot to pull ahead as both players crashed like lead balloons. Starlight bounced back, shooting with supreme accuracy in game 4 as Leonardo folded very quickly, allowing Starlight to clinch the series at 3-1. Game 5 was the most competitive of the series, but Starlight held her ground early and faded only slightly late to make it a 4-1 series win over Leonardo. Starlight, ranked #18 in Survival, is set to travel to face Twinkie II of the Specters at Harrison's Mercedes-Benz Forum in the fourth round. Surprisingly enough, the series loss sees Leonardo become the twenty-ninth player to fall in the tournament, although his future with the Stills is safe thanks to a top-32 individual performance in cricket. Starlight, ever the interesting character, records her second kill of the tournament, tying Princess for the lead.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda v. Twinkie I. The finale of the tripleheader comes from down the coast a bit, and marks the return of the blue cue. Lighton's Twinkie I won a wild game 1, getting all the way to four balls down before hunkering down and working the table until Southern's Panda scratched in the second rack to take the loss, making it 1-0 for the Prestige's Twinkie I. The Monarchs' Panda held on a little longer in game 2, and this ended up being the difference, as Twinkie I had the same approach by dropping a lot early and holding on at the end, but she couldn't last through the second rack as Panda would not drop, tying the series at 1. Game 3 was nearly perfect for three racks by both players, but Twinkie I was a bit more resilient over that span, holding on to where she fell more than Panda, who peaked a bit early. This separation of styles became evident in rack four, and ultimately Panda did not last the entire fourth rack, dropping near the end to give Twinkie I a 2-1 lead in a hard fought game worthy of high praise. In a much shorter game 4, Panda held on long enough to survive as Twinkie I melted late in the first rack and fell apart completely in the second rack, tying the series again at 2 in what has been a thriller thus far. Panda managed an odd game 5 that saw changes in momentum throughout, holding on narrowly to take the series 3-2. Ranked #28 in Survival, Panda plays on into the fourth round.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Fluffina v. Sweetheart. We leave Survival and the coast to head inland for 10-ball. Boston's Sweetheart displayed great decision making in deferring the shot to Maplewood's Fluffina after her illegally potted shot on the 7. Fluffina of the Lumberjacks missed on the 8, leaving Sweetheart of the Swifts to make the final two shots and go up 1-0 in the series. Fluffina only took a couple of turns to equalize the series in game 2, scoring a 1-10 cut combination to the top left to make it 1-1 in the series. Sweetheart used a 3-10 combination with the 10 also getting a carom off the 6 to send it to the top left as all she needed in a quick game 3, retaking a series lead at 2-1 with the impressively planned shot for the win. Save for caroms off the 2 to take the 6 and 9 in the left corners, Sweetheart didn't do much in game 4, and Fluffina made her pay for it in the sloppy ending, potting the 10 after Sweetheart whiffed it twice, tying the series at 2 in the process of controlling possession efficiently. Fluffina dominated possession in game 5, which made it a lot easier for her to claim victory, especially after good positioning put the 10 in a reasonable spot. Ranked #19, Fluffina took the series 3-2 and will wait to see who she'll be hosting at this venue in the fourth round.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Misty v. Sugar. We head west again for some 12-ball. Westside's Misty made strong work happen in game 1, using positioning to get around Web City's Sugar, who wanted to play at a slower pace, for a 1-0 lead. The Rockers' Misty went to 2-0 with another well-played game, using strong accuracy and positioning to comfortably defeat the Spiders' Sugar. Sugar found her mojo in game 3, getting positioned much quicker and shooting straighter to make it 2-1 in the series as Misty got behind early. In game 4, the ending was all about defense, as Sugar's 6 prevented Misty's 10 from getting in the bottom right, but Misty used her 10 effectively after Sugar's illegal contact foul, preventing Sugar from sinking the 6. Eventually, Sugar did pot it, but also scratched. Misty obtained position on the 10 in one shot, and made it on the next for a 3-1 series lead. Sugar dominated throughout game 5, with the help of a wild card ball, making it a 3-2 series win for Misty. Ranked #21, Misty will host Twinkie III at this venue in the fourth round. With the loss, Sugar is the thirtieth player to be eliminated from the tournament. Sugar's Web City Spiders career is in doubt at this point after Misty's first kill of the season.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Puff I v. Cheddar. Next up, a doubleheader of 7-ball. Modernistic's Puff I took a 1-0 lead with a three-ball run-out in game 1, controlling the better part of possession over Whitewater's Cheddar. The Shores' Cheddar tied the series at 1 with a game 2 win, bouncing back in a very tight game as neither player broke out for big runs, but Puff I of the Union missed her one chance at the 7. Puff I took the lead back at 2-1, using a four-ball run and her second chance on the 7 to take the victory and edge ahead in the series again in a less tightly-played game. Puff I clinched the series at 3-1 with a three-ball run-out, using solid positioning as her key to victory. Puff I took game 5 with the 7 going in the bottom side on the break, good for a 4-1 victory. Ranked #34 in 7-ball, Puff I will host Goldy of the Everton Eagles at this venue in the fourth round. With the loss, Cheddar became the thirty-first eliminated played from the tournament. Her future appears safe with the cricket powerhouse Whitewater Shores, and she is expected to remain with the team next season. Puff I earned her first kill.
Intel Center, Diamond: Citrus v. Shelley. The other half of the 7-ball doubleheader comes at night in the eastern hills. Diamond's Citrus used a three-ball run-out in game 1 to take a 1-0 lead, working strong positioning to top Infinity City's Shelley after her scratch. The Gems' Citrus had another three-ball run-out for a win in game 2, but with more spectacular shooting, nearly potting the 7 on a carom off the 4, only to get it later after positioning herself for an awkward but successful 6-7 combination to the bottom right, making it 2-0 in the series. Citrus did all the work in game 3, running four balls at the start and the final three-ball run-out after Shelley of the Torpedoes missed on her only shot, claiming the series at 3-0 in the process with a dominant effort. Citrus moved to 4-0 in a much more balanced game, but she still made the final two balls after Shelley left the 6 short at the bottom left and the 7 in a favorable location at the top side. Shelley had a six-ball run-out in game 5, making Citrus pay for her one mistake to give Citrus just a 4-1 series win. Ranked #51 for 7-ball, Citrus will travel to nearby Freedom to visit Cascades captain Jasmine in the fourth round at Toyota Arena.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Sierra. Two high-ceiling players take the table in the northeast for Survival. Todavía's Sierra made quick work of a hapless Dustin of Central in game 1, as Dustin scratched on the break and missed a fair number of shots throughout the single rack game, allowing the Stills' Sierra to lead the series 1-0. Sierra moved to 2-0 with another quick win in game 2, as the Warriors' Dustin deflated quickly and Sierra wiped out two opportunities at once while also losing a life when she double-potted the 8 and 12 while scratching. Dustin couldn't convert on the 5 late in the first rack, which caused the loss after Sierra had disrupted a decent lie as a bit of crafty defense. Dustin did his best work in game 3, a three-rack epic that saw near perfection during the second and and early third racks, until Sierra fell off pace while Dustin continued to gain strength. Dustin's win cut his deficit to 2-1 in the series. Dustin found a highlight in the lopsided game 4, double-potting the 3 and 4 on a length-of-table bank on the 3 after a tap-in at an angle on the 4. Dustin cruised to victory in game 4, building off his big triumph in game 3 to tie the series at 2. Sierra bounced back as game 5 came to an abrupt end with both players fading fast, but Sierra had farther to fade, winning the series 3-2. Ranked #61 in Survival, Sierra is through to the fourth round after the thrilling win.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shadow v. Twinkie III. We move a little south for 9-ball now. Whitewater's Twinkie III thought she had won game 1 on a four-ball run-out, but the cut she put on the 9 resulted in a scratch, giving Web City's Shadow a 1-0 lead instead. The Shores' Twinkie III again buried the Spiders' Shadow in possession, and this time she kept the cue on the table to tie the series with a three-ball run-out. Shadow dominated possession in game 3, as Twinkie III had two major illegal contact fouls and missed the 6 on a supposed tap-in at the top side, which triggered a three-ball run-out by Shadow as he took a 2-1 lead with the convincing victory. Shadow clinched the series at 3-1 with a confident game 4 victory, using a three-ball run-out as his keystone in the clincher, toppling a nervous Twinkie III who appeared shaken from game 3. Twinkie III got one back in game 5, using a five-ball run-out with top-notch positioning to give Shadow a series final of 3-2. Ranked #96 in 9-ball, Shadow will travel to Todavía to play the Stills captain Easter in the fourth round at Apple Center.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Twinkie I. We head to a doubleheader of 10-ball, with the silver cue making both appearances. In this series, the red cue gives way for the silver cue. The 10 proved to be a difficult capture in game 1, as Pacific's Starlight illegally potted it twice, while Lighton's Twinkie I couldn't corral it on combination shots. The Volcanoes' Starlight scratched on the 10 though, and the Prestige's Twinkie I narrowly potted it in the top side for a 1-0 lead. Starlight almost regretted her decision to defer in game 2, as Twinkie I cobbled a four-ball run but couldn't connect on the 10. The players chased the ball around until Starlight got a favorable cut, tying the series at 1. Game 3 followed the pattern of pace throughout the first nine and then a battle on the 10, with Twinkie I coming up again after Starlight squandered two chances at the 10. Twinkie I got a favorable lie, with a relatively straight shot on the 10 to the top side, moving to 2-1 in the series. Neither player had a good grip on play in game 4, but it worked out alright for Starlight, as her late scratch worked to get the back-and-forth game into the proper pattern for her to collect the 10, which she did on her first try to retie the series at 2. Twinkie I weathered Starlight's early storm in game 5, and then struck with a four-ball run-out keyed by accuracy to take the series 3-2. Ranked #99 in 10-ball, Twinkie I is set to travel to Maplewood to play the Lumberjacks captain Fluffina at UPS Hall in the fourth round.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Snowball v. Twilight. In the heart of the urban core, the silver cue covers for the blue cue in the second half of a 10-ball doubleheader. Swordpoint's Snowball got into a groove in game 1, which led to a five-ball run-out as she took a 1-0 lead over Central's Twilight. When the Warriors' Twilight scratched in game 2, the Blades' Snowball cashed in a 4-10 combination to the top left, although the 4 did have to bump the 10 twice to sink it as Snowball moved to 2-0 in the series. In game 3, Snowball had a top-10 shot of the year, attempting a carom off the 2 to sink the 4 in the top left, which was the called shot. What happened was the 2 banking off the bottom rail as the 4 glided to the top left, colliding at the perfect angle for a clean redirect on the 4, making the called shot perfectly for the absolute stunner of a highlight. Despite the theatrics, Twilight was unfazed, going on a three-ball run-out with a bank of the 10 off the bottom rail at an odd angle to the top left that made it 2-1 in the series with a lesser but still impressive highlight of her own. Twilight continued to surge, using the 6 and 9 nestled at the top side as anchors for separate runs, the last being a three-ball run-out that tied the series and put Snowball on her back foot for the next game. Snowball benefited greatly from Twilight's choice to shoot after Snowball illegally potted the 4. Twilight left the 5 short, laying the foundation for Snowball to piece together a well-positioned six-ball run-out for a 3-2 series win after taking game 5. Snowball is ranked #76 in 10-ball and will face the highly-seeded Max of the Queens Flames at his home, the Ebay Center, in the fourth round.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Kiwi v. Sweetheart. The red cue returns for the last two series tonight, beginning with this set of 8-ball up north. Boston's Sweetheart won a somewhat sloppy game 1 for a 1-0 lead, as both her and Modernistic's Kiwi got stuck shooting poorly for the entire second half of the game after picking off the easy shots. The Swifts' Sweetheart got herself in gear late in game 2, using a four-ball run-out with some excellent positioning to go to 2-0 in the series over the Union's Kiwi. Kiwi made a highlight in game 3, getting a narrow cut on the 2 to the bottom side that glanced the 7 later on, sending it to the top left for a strong double-pot. Kiwi finished the job in game 3, using a three-ball run-out to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the series. Cynics would say it was a win for posterity for the disgruntled captain, but casual observers could say it was a return to form for a very talented player. In game 4, the players exchanged five-ball runs early on. Sweetheart would follow with a modest two-ball run near the end, but Kiwi capitalized where Sweetheart failed, using a three-ball run-out with a finish on the 8 to take the game and tie the series at 2. Kiwi made another late three-ball run in game 5, after the players exchanged four-ball runs during the early stages, and Kiwi made that late run count when she nabbed the 8 to take the series 3-2. Ranked #9 in 8-ball, Kiwi proves to be a difficult out as she will now host Shannon of the Southern Monarchs at this venue in the fourth round.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Rainmane v. Twilight. Finally, the night ends with Rotation from the northeast. Web City's Rainmane used a four-ball run-out and patient defense to combine with Central's Twilight making a number of errors, resulting in the Spiders' Rainmane going up 1-0 with an 8-2 win in game 1. Rainmane did well defending early on in game 2, but when the defense fell apart, the Warriors' Twilight rallied for a five-ball run, and eventually won the game 8-6 with some accurate shooting to tie the series at 1. Rainmane shot back with another dominant effort in game 3, working herself out of tough situations with accurate shots in an 8-2 win, moving to a 2-1 lead in the series. Twilight looked like she was going to break out on a run late in game 4, but a scratch undid all of that and gave Rainmane a quick two shots for an 8-3 win to clinch the series at 3-1. Rainmane continued her dominant attack in game 5, shutting down Twilight again at 8-3. That's a hard thing to do, and Rainmane did that or better four times, winning the series 4-1 over a very solid opponent. Rainmane, ranked #1 in Rotation, will play on against the Todavía Stills' weakest link, Sparkles, in the fourth round at this venue.
That's 80 games today. The SCL should resume tomorrow under a new scheduling plan, but there may be issues if the SCL continues to correlate with poor pool performance. My best guess is that round three will wrap up Thursday or Friday, pending SCL disruptions. If everything goes to plan, it'll be Thursday.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 5
More third round action, as we anticipate reaching the halfway point of this round today. It has been a challenging round for the players thus far, with discipline assessed by the UPCL and countless other incidents that could have qualified. We begin this fifth full day in...
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Kelly. The first series is 7-ball from the northeast. Westside's Kelly cashed in for a game 1 after Central's Noelle couldn't extend her late three-ball run, giving the Rockers' Kelly a reasonable but long shot on the 7 which she made for a 1-0 lead. The Warriors' Noelle tied it in game 2, mopping up the 7 from ball-in-hand after Kelly's scratch in a much sloppier game. Noelle took a 2-1 series lead with a game 3 win, weathering a three-ball run late from Kelly that ended with her leaving the 7 short for Noelle to tap-in for the lead. Noelle clinched the series at 3-1, capitalizing on Kelly's miss on the 7 and narrowly avoiding the scratch that lie presented to take the game and the series. Kelly got one back as Noelle chipped a couple of shots late in game 5, allowing Kelly work around these and make it a 3-2 final for the series. Noelle, ranked #4 in 7-ball, advanced to the fourth round. With the loss, Kelly is the twenty-fourth player to be eliminated from the tournament, but Noelle will only receive a half-kill because Kelly had the split bid with Alyssa, which is fully eliminated now. Kelly is likely to be cut from the Westside Rockers due to an uninspiring performance this season. Noelle has knocked out two players now.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Crystal. We head to the southwest for some Rotation now. Queens' Crystal made Victoria's Spice feel like she wasted time early on, as the Flames' Crystal used a four-ball run to overcome a deficit, and made another ball in her next turns for an 8-5 win in game 1, taking a 1-0 series lead. Crystal again buried the Spurs' Spice late in game 2, taking a three-ball run from ball-in-hand after Spice missed contact and using defense to establish dominance, which she cashed in on a carom off the 10 to tap the 14 to the top left in going up 2-0 in the series with an 8-4 win. Spice got back into the fray in game 3, holding on in a tense and competitive, ping-pong-like game for an 8-7 win to make it 2-1 in the series. Spice roared back from down four in game 4, using two three-ball runs to get close with the first one (it would have tied the game had she not scratched) and then the second to win the game 8-7 after Crystal mishit her attempt on the 13, causing it to go wide right. Spice tied the series at 2 games apiece with the triumph. Spice completed her comeback in game 5, using a five-ball run to push Crystal to the brink and then biding her time, taking the 12 when the time was right to win 8-4 in the game and 3-2 in the series. Spice, ranked #13 in Rotation, will play on into the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Neopolitan v. Dreamy. We head to the coast up north now, where there is 7-ball to be played. Neopolitan of Pearl got off to a good start, winning game 1 with a confident three-ball run-out to keep Swordpoint's Dreamy at bay early on. The Surfers' Neopolitan controlled possession in game 2, but nearly gave the game away after missing contact on the 7. However, the Blades' Dreamy took her free shot from ball-in-hand lazily, and Neopolitan buried it to go up 2-0 on Dreamy's huge blunder. Neopolitan clinched the series at 3-0 with a game 3 win, as Dreamy's scratch after a four-ball run ended up being all Neopolitan needed to finish off the quick game. Neopolitan got stronger in game 4, running the table by sinking all seven balls in five shots after three went down on the break, keeping Dreamy from the table as Neopolitan went up 4-0. Game 5 saw a little bit of back-and-forth but Dreamy ultimately squandered the chance, as her three-ball run early meant nothing late when she left the 7 short at the top right for Neopolitan to tap-in for the 5-0 sweep. Ranked #15 in 7-ball, Neopolitan will travel to Nissan Hall in Infinity City to battle her toughest challenge yet, the top-ranked Whiskers, in the fourth round.
Apple Center, Todavía: Sparkles v. Citrus. Back south, we have more Rotation scheduled. Sparkles of Todavía rallied from behind on a strong Citrus of Diamond, capitalizing on the latter's two late scratches to win 8-6 for a 1-0 lead. The Gems' Citrus bounced back, working some well-executed shots to build up a game 2 lead before using her fundamentals to seal the deal as the Stills' Sparkles couldn't rally for the tie, losing 8-5 as the series became tied at 1. Sparkles took advantage of an early scratch by Citrus to build a large lead, and she held on after that as Citrus' attack lacked much urgency, which cost her the game as Sparkles went up 2-1 in the series on an 8-3 win. Citrus made a six-ball run-out in four shots in game 4, double-potting the 5 and 11 in the top and bottom left pockets before pulling off the same trick with the 6 and 9 in the top side and top right, before making her next two shots in a more traditional way to win 8-4 and tie the series at 2. Sparkles took game 5 by an 8-4 score, using a 7-12 combination at one point and a double-pot of the 4 and 10 to clinch the series at 3-2. Sparkles, ranked #42 in Rotation, will play in the fourth round after her close but confident victory.
Ebay Center, Queens: Paige v. Gradley. In the southeast, there is 8-ball up next. Boston's Gradley needed only four turns, using a five-ball run and then sinking one on each of the next three to defeat Queens' Paige, who attempted far too late to play defense as she got shut out in game 1 when the Swifts' Gradley went up 1-0. The Flames' Paige pulled back with a three-ball run-out in game 2, unlocking her offense in a much closer game to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Gradley had no one but himself to blame for the game 3 loss, missing three relatively easy shots on the 8 in a row, which gave Paige enough time to miss one of her own but make her second chance on a well-played cut for a 2-1 lead. Gradley shot back in game 4, making a three-ball run-out to bounce back from the embarrassing loss previously with a confident victory, retying the series at 2. Paige had the better run of play in a somewhat sloppy game 5, as Gradley couldn't get going. Paige won the series 3-2, and her #50 ranked 8-ball campaign will host Allison of the Tysini Hummingbirds at this venue in the fourth round. With the loss, Gradley became the twenty-fifth player to be eliminated from the tournament. Gradley will likely return to a patient and stacked Boston Swifts team, as they will be patient with the former Rookie of the Year to see if he was a one-hit wonder or just suffered a sophomore slump. Paige earned her first kill of the season.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Goatee v. Cleo. Back north, the game is 10-ball as these two players will be the next to try to crack the 10-ball code. Everton's Cleo got lucky to win game 1, as Westside's Goatee scratched after sinking the 9 to give the Eagles' Cleo the tap-in from ball-in-hand for a 1-0 lead. The Rockers' Goatee made quick work to tie the series at 1, using a three-ball run-out in game 2 that ended on a 4-10 combination to the bottom left that served as the equalizer. Cleo took the very sloppy game 3, much in the same as game 1 after Goatee's late scratch allowed Cleo to pot the 10 easily for the 2-1 series lead. Cleo ended up taking the series at 3-1 after some strategic play on the 9 favored her on the fourth shot, and she also buried the 10 to the bottom right for the clinching shot. Goatee got one back in a game 5 that had many missed shots, but Goatee made the last two balls to give Cleo just a 3-2 series win. Ranked #103 for 10-ball, Cleo will travel to Tysini to face Princess of the Hummingbirds at Cisco Arena in the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Wings v. Patches. This first series of the locational doubleheader is in 15-ball to close out the afternoon portion. Pearl's Wings won game with a sharp shooting, and good positioning late during a three-ball run-out that ended on a 14-15 combination to the top, taking a 1-0 lead over Boston's Patches. The Surfers' Wings extended her lead to 2-0 with a four-ball run-out in game 2, finishing on a bank off the right rail to the bottom left to pot the 15 as the Swifts' Patches rued her missed opportunities to turn the tide in a very close game. Game 3 was a little more open a lot more clumsy, but in the end Wings came through again, making a 13-15 combination on a cut from distance to clinch the series at 3-0 and retain her position in the bracket that has seen a lot of top seeds falter. Patches got on the board with a game 4 win, as Wings let up off the gas a bit, allowing Patches to get creative with the unfriendly layout of the balls after the break. Patches won with a tap-in on the 15 after a scratch by Wings, putting the series at 3-1. Wings took game 5 with a mixture of accurate shooting and a bit of luck, taking advantage of illegal contact from Patches to get the final two balls for a 4-1 series win. Ranked #4 in 15-ball, Wings will continue her campaign in the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: V. Braun v. Precious. In the night games, the second half of the doubleheader is 9-ball. Pronger's Precious took a very quick and sloppy game 1, as Braun of Pearl failed to get clear of the 9, and what ended up being an incidental narrow cut cost her the game as the 9 sank on illegal contact, giving the Tridents' Precious a 1-0 lead. Game 2 proved to be the full edition when it came to errors, highlighted by Braun of the Surfers attempting a carom so sharp that the cue got airborne and left the table at the bottom rail. After many missed strokes on the 9, Precious took the game and a 2-0 lead on a tap-in. Precious clinched the series with a four-ball run-out in game 3, showing off her accuracy in the process of advancing. Braun got a game back with a three-ball run-out in game 4, pushing the series to 3-1. Precious shot back in game 5, making the final two balls to seal the series at 4-1. Ranked #103 in 9-ball, Precious will travel again to an undetermined location for the fourth round. With the loss, Braun saw her UPCL career come to an end, pending a call-up for playoff duty with the Surfers or Humanity West. Braun's departure from the league will result in a compensatory pick for the Pearl Surfers, who have lost the edge they once had in competition and will look to bring in a hyped rookie or borderline cut in the hopes of turning their fortunes around. Precious' first kill of the season marked the twenty-seventh player to fall.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Dani v. Cleo. The next series takes us south for some 15-ball. Capital City's Dani made Everton's Cleo pay for a scratch, as the former went on a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand to take a 1-0 series lead in impressive fashion. The Sharpshooters' Dani hit the highlight reel with a 3-10 combination at a terrible angle that struck so hard, the cue ricocheted off the corner of the bottom side and careened to pot the 7 in the top side for a brilliant double-pot. Dani later cashed in on the many misses on the 15 by the Eagles' Cleo, as multiple combination attempts by Cleo failed to drop, allowing Dani to clean it up at the end for a 2-0 series lead. Cleo could only blame herself for a brutal game 3 loss, as she left the 15 short at the bottom left in a game wrought with errors, allowing Dani to clinch the series at 3-0. Dani continued with dominant shooting in game 4, including a remarkable kick from distance with quite a distance to go to the top left on the 1, hugging the top rail the entire way. At the end, Dani capitalized on illegal contact by Cleo to get the 4-0 lead. Dani iced the series at 5-0, using Cleo's illegal contact early in game 5 as a reason to pot the 2-15 combination to the top left from ball-in-hand, securing a sweep. Ranked #34 in 15-ball, Dani gave five good reasons for why she should and will advance into the fourth round.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Dreamy. Closing out the day's games, the third round meets its halfway point with this 8-ball series, as the frequently late-arriving superstar hosts her first series of the round. Swordpoint's Dreamy took a back-and-forth game 1 after Pacific's Starlight couldn't sink the 8 on her one attempt. Dreamy of the Blades used solid positioning to take a 1-0 series lead. Dreamy went up 2-0 with a game 2 win that included a four-ball run and suffocating defense to hold the Volcanoes' Starlight at bay until the time was right to finish off the game. Starlight made a highlight in game 3, ripping a wicked cut to get the 6 in the top left while the carom drilled the 5 to the bottom left for the double-pot. Starlight's ego got in her way late in the game, as three scratches prevented her from getting a chance at the 8, while the slightly more ball-responsible Dreamy avoided flashy fouls and took care of business to claim the series at 3-0. Dreamy overcame Starlight's hot start in game 4, again rallying back to grab a win and move to 4-0 in the series. Starlight received a gift from Dreamy, as the latter sank the 8 in the wrong pocket, making it a 4-1 series win. Dreamy, ranked #125 for 8-ball, continues an improbable run to the fourth round, where she will travel to Commerce to visit the Tradewinds' Ice Cream at Nike Field Events Center.
That's all for today. Tomorrow, there should be a similar slate of games on tap, as well as cricket. A current theory on the struggles with pool targets the SCL games taking place in the mornings as a problem factor, so those may be rescheduled if issues persist this week, as I do not have time to be taking breaks.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Kelly. The first series is 7-ball from the northeast. Westside's Kelly cashed in for a game 1 after Central's Noelle couldn't extend her late three-ball run, giving the Rockers' Kelly a reasonable but long shot on the 7 which she made for a 1-0 lead. The Warriors' Noelle tied it in game 2, mopping up the 7 from ball-in-hand after Kelly's scratch in a much sloppier game. Noelle took a 2-1 series lead with a game 3 win, weathering a three-ball run late from Kelly that ended with her leaving the 7 short for Noelle to tap-in for the lead. Noelle clinched the series at 3-1, capitalizing on Kelly's miss on the 7 and narrowly avoiding the scratch that lie presented to take the game and the series. Kelly got one back as Noelle chipped a couple of shots late in game 5, allowing Kelly work around these and make it a 3-2 final for the series. Noelle, ranked #4 in 7-ball, advanced to the fourth round. With the loss, Kelly is the twenty-fourth player to be eliminated from the tournament, but Noelle will only receive a half-kill because Kelly had the split bid with Alyssa, which is fully eliminated now. Kelly is likely to be cut from the Westside Rockers due to an uninspiring performance this season. Noelle has knocked out two players now.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Crystal. We head to the southwest for some Rotation now. Queens' Crystal made Victoria's Spice feel like she wasted time early on, as the Flames' Crystal used a four-ball run to overcome a deficit, and made another ball in her next turns for an 8-5 win in game 1, taking a 1-0 series lead. Crystal again buried the Spurs' Spice late in game 2, taking a three-ball run from ball-in-hand after Spice missed contact and using defense to establish dominance, which she cashed in on a carom off the 10 to tap the 14 to the top left in going up 2-0 in the series with an 8-4 win. Spice got back into the fray in game 3, holding on in a tense and competitive, ping-pong-like game for an 8-7 win to make it 2-1 in the series. Spice roared back from down four in game 4, using two three-ball runs to get close with the first one (it would have tied the game had she not scratched) and then the second to win the game 8-7 after Crystal mishit her attempt on the 13, causing it to go wide right. Spice tied the series at 2 games apiece with the triumph. Spice completed her comeback in game 5, using a five-ball run to push Crystal to the brink and then biding her time, taking the 12 when the time was right to win 8-4 in the game and 3-2 in the series. Spice, ranked #13 in Rotation, will play on into the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Neopolitan v. Dreamy. We head to the coast up north now, where there is 7-ball to be played. Neopolitan of Pearl got off to a good start, winning game 1 with a confident three-ball run-out to keep Swordpoint's Dreamy at bay early on. The Surfers' Neopolitan controlled possession in game 2, but nearly gave the game away after missing contact on the 7. However, the Blades' Dreamy took her free shot from ball-in-hand lazily, and Neopolitan buried it to go up 2-0 on Dreamy's huge blunder. Neopolitan clinched the series at 3-0 with a game 3 win, as Dreamy's scratch after a four-ball run ended up being all Neopolitan needed to finish off the quick game. Neopolitan got stronger in game 4, running the table by sinking all seven balls in five shots after three went down on the break, keeping Dreamy from the table as Neopolitan went up 4-0. Game 5 saw a little bit of back-and-forth but Dreamy ultimately squandered the chance, as her three-ball run early meant nothing late when she left the 7 short at the top right for Neopolitan to tap-in for the 5-0 sweep. Ranked #15 in 7-ball, Neopolitan will travel to Nissan Hall in Infinity City to battle her toughest challenge yet, the top-ranked Whiskers, in the fourth round.
Apple Center, Todavía: Sparkles v. Citrus. Back south, we have more Rotation scheduled. Sparkles of Todavía rallied from behind on a strong Citrus of Diamond, capitalizing on the latter's two late scratches to win 8-6 for a 1-0 lead. The Gems' Citrus bounced back, working some well-executed shots to build up a game 2 lead before using her fundamentals to seal the deal as the Stills' Sparkles couldn't rally for the tie, losing 8-5 as the series became tied at 1. Sparkles took advantage of an early scratch by Citrus to build a large lead, and she held on after that as Citrus' attack lacked much urgency, which cost her the game as Sparkles went up 2-1 in the series on an 8-3 win. Citrus made a six-ball run-out in four shots in game 4, double-potting the 5 and 11 in the top and bottom left pockets before pulling off the same trick with the 6 and 9 in the top side and top right, before making her next two shots in a more traditional way to win 8-4 and tie the series at 2. Sparkles took game 5 by an 8-4 score, using a 7-12 combination at one point and a double-pot of the 4 and 10 to clinch the series at 3-2. Sparkles, ranked #42 in Rotation, will play in the fourth round after her close but confident victory.
Ebay Center, Queens: Paige v. Gradley. In the southeast, there is 8-ball up next. Boston's Gradley needed only four turns, using a five-ball run and then sinking one on each of the next three to defeat Queens' Paige, who attempted far too late to play defense as she got shut out in game 1 when the Swifts' Gradley went up 1-0. The Flames' Paige pulled back with a three-ball run-out in game 2, unlocking her offense in a much closer game to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Gradley had no one but himself to blame for the game 3 loss, missing three relatively easy shots on the 8 in a row, which gave Paige enough time to miss one of her own but make her second chance on a well-played cut for a 2-1 lead. Gradley shot back in game 4, making a three-ball run-out to bounce back from the embarrassing loss previously with a confident victory, retying the series at 2. Paige had the better run of play in a somewhat sloppy game 5, as Gradley couldn't get going. Paige won the series 3-2, and her #50 ranked 8-ball campaign will host Allison of the Tysini Hummingbirds at this venue in the fourth round. With the loss, Gradley became the twenty-fifth player to be eliminated from the tournament. Gradley will likely return to a patient and stacked Boston Swifts team, as they will be patient with the former Rookie of the Year to see if he was a one-hit wonder or just suffered a sophomore slump. Paige earned her first kill of the season.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Goatee v. Cleo. Back north, the game is 10-ball as these two players will be the next to try to crack the 10-ball code. Everton's Cleo got lucky to win game 1, as Westside's Goatee scratched after sinking the 9 to give the Eagles' Cleo the tap-in from ball-in-hand for a 1-0 lead. The Rockers' Goatee made quick work to tie the series at 1, using a three-ball run-out in game 2 that ended on a 4-10 combination to the bottom left that served as the equalizer. Cleo took the very sloppy game 3, much in the same as game 1 after Goatee's late scratch allowed Cleo to pot the 10 easily for the 2-1 series lead. Cleo ended up taking the series at 3-1 after some strategic play on the 9 favored her on the fourth shot, and she also buried the 10 to the bottom right for the clinching shot. Goatee got one back in a game 5 that had many missed shots, but Goatee made the last two balls to give Cleo just a 3-2 series win. Ranked #103 for 10-ball, Cleo will travel to Tysini to face Princess of the Hummingbirds at Cisco Arena in the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Wings v. Patches. This first series of the locational doubleheader is in 15-ball to close out the afternoon portion. Pearl's Wings won game with a sharp shooting, and good positioning late during a three-ball run-out that ended on a 14-15 combination to the top, taking a 1-0 lead over Boston's Patches. The Surfers' Wings extended her lead to 2-0 with a four-ball run-out in game 2, finishing on a bank off the right rail to the bottom left to pot the 15 as the Swifts' Patches rued her missed opportunities to turn the tide in a very close game. Game 3 was a little more open a lot more clumsy, but in the end Wings came through again, making a 13-15 combination on a cut from distance to clinch the series at 3-0 and retain her position in the bracket that has seen a lot of top seeds falter. Patches got on the board with a game 4 win, as Wings let up off the gas a bit, allowing Patches to get creative with the unfriendly layout of the balls after the break. Patches won with a tap-in on the 15 after a scratch by Wings, putting the series at 3-1. Wings took game 5 with a mixture of accurate shooting and a bit of luck, taking advantage of illegal contact from Patches to get the final two balls for a 4-1 series win. Ranked #4 in 15-ball, Wings will continue her campaign in the fourth round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: V. Braun v. Precious. In the night games, the second half of the doubleheader is 9-ball. Pronger's Precious took a very quick and sloppy game 1, as Braun of Pearl failed to get clear of the 9, and what ended up being an incidental narrow cut cost her the game as the 9 sank on illegal contact, giving the Tridents' Precious a 1-0 lead. Game 2 proved to be the full edition when it came to errors, highlighted by Braun of the Surfers attempting a carom so sharp that the cue got airborne and left the table at the bottom rail. After many missed strokes on the 9, Precious took the game and a 2-0 lead on a tap-in. Precious clinched the series with a four-ball run-out in game 3, showing off her accuracy in the process of advancing. Braun got a game back with a three-ball run-out in game 4, pushing the series to 3-1. Precious shot back in game 5, making the final two balls to seal the series at 4-1. Ranked #103 in 9-ball, Precious will travel again to an undetermined location for the fourth round. With the loss, Braun saw her UPCL career come to an end, pending a call-up for playoff duty with the Surfers or Humanity West. Braun's departure from the league will result in a compensatory pick for the Pearl Surfers, who have lost the edge they once had in competition and will look to bring in a hyped rookie or borderline cut in the hopes of turning their fortunes around. Precious' first kill of the season marked the twenty-seventh player to fall.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Dani v. Cleo. The next series takes us south for some 15-ball. Capital City's Dani made Everton's Cleo pay for a scratch, as the former went on a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand to take a 1-0 series lead in impressive fashion. The Sharpshooters' Dani hit the highlight reel with a 3-10 combination at a terrible angle that struck so hard, the cue ricocheted off the corner of the bottom side and careened to pot the 7 in the top side for a brilliant double-pot. Dani later cashed in on the many misses on the 15 by the Eagles' Cleo, as multiple combination attempts by Cleo failed to drop, allowing Dani to clean it up at the end for a 2-0 series lead. Cleo could only blame herself for a brutal game 3 loss, as she left the 15 short at the bottom left in a game wrought with errors, allowing Dani to clinch the series at 3-0. Dani continued with dominant shooting in game 4, including a remarkable kick from distance with quite a distance to go to the top left on the 1, hugging the top rail the entire way. At the end, Dani capitalized on illegal contact by Cleo to get the 4-0 lead. Dani iced the series at 5-0, using Cleo's illegal contact early in game 5 as a reason to pot the 2-15 combination to the top left from ball-in-hand, securing a sweep. Ranked #34 in 15-ball, Dani gave five good reasons for why she should and will advance into the fourth round.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Dreamy. Closing out the day's games, the third round meets its halfway point with this 8-ball series, as the frequently late-arriving superstar hosts her first series of the round. Swordpoint's Dreamy took a back-and-forth game 1 after Pacific's Starlight couldn't sink the 8 on her one attempt. Dreamy of the Blades used solid positioning to take a 1-0 series lead. Dreamy went up 2-0 with a game 2 win that included a four-ball run and suffocating defense to hold the Volcanoes' Starlight at bay until the time was right to finish off the game. Starlight made a highlight in game 3, ripping a wicked cut to get the 6 in the top left while the carom drilled the 5 to the bottom left for the double-pot. Starlight's ego got in her way late in the game, as three scratches prevented her from getting a chance at the 8, while the slightly more ball-responsible Dreamy avoided flashy fouls and took care of business to claim the series at 3-0. Dreamy overcame Starlight's hot start in game 4, again rallying back to grab a win and move to 4-0 in the series. Starlight received a gift from Dreamy, as the latter sank the 8 in the wrong pocket, making it a 4-1 series win. Dreamy, ranked #125 for 8-ball, continues an improbable run to the fourth round, where she will travel to Commerce to visit the Tradewinds' Ice Cream at Nike Field Events Center.
That's all for today. Tomorrow, there should be a similar slate of games on tap, as well as cricket. A current theory on the struggles with pool targets the SCL games taking place in the mornings as a problem factor, so those may be rescheduled if issues persist this week, as I do not have time to be taking breaks.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 4
Today should be a full day as long as everything goes well. We begin in...
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Midnight v. Paps. The first series of the day is 10-ball. The players felt each other out in game 1 a bit, playing a little tight but without much defense. In the end, Paps of Pronger made a shot on the 10 to the top right from distance after Commerce's Midnight couldn't convert a similar one, with the Tridents' Paps moving to 1-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Midnight was lucky to tie the series in game 2, getting a second chance after Paps rattled out her short leave at the bottom right. Paps retook a series lead at 2-1, winning a frustrating game 3 that saw the 5 get chased around before Midnight took it with the cue jumping the table. Paps made the 6 and then pulled off a 7-10 combination to the bottom side with tempers boiling for the win. Midnight tied it again in an even testier game 4, winning just before another flare-up by using a hard carom off the 7 to take the 10 in the bottom right. Paps took the series 3-2, winning in game 5 with a carom off the 8 to bump the 10 into the bottom side. Paps, ranked #104 in the 10-ball, is set to face Graham of the Eastside Sharks at HP Field Events Center in the fourth round.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Rainmane v. Jack. We begin a tripleheader of 7-ball from the northeast. Also, the Dark Marble Swirl billiard set has replaced the standard Aramith set as the league attempts to keep the pace of play at peaceful and healthy, something that has lacked in this round so far. Pacific's Jack took a very back-and-forth game 1 with a tap-in on his second whack at the 7 after Web City's Rainmane couldn't make a cut on it from distance. The Spiders' Rainmane tied the series with a deft touch on the 7 in game 2, avoiding the likely scratch in the top side on the cut to the top left with a shot that had just the right amount of pace. The Volcanoes' Jack was back in mop-up duty, handling another missed 7 by Rainmane at the bottom right to move to a 2-1 series lead. Jack took the series at 3-1 with a three-ball run-out, finally showing some semblance of controlling possession for longer than a shot or two. Jack iced the series at 4-1 with an anticlimactic game 5 victory. Jack, ranked #105 in 7-ball, is set to travel to Royal for a meeting with the Crowns' Jake at Kraft Forum.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Goatee v. Jasmine. In the middle series, we head west to continue the 7-ball streak. Westside's Goatee began with a game 1 victory, running out the final three balls for a 1-0 series lead, although a suspension of play is looming for the second time in three days. Jasmine of Freedom tied it in game 2, mopping up a sloppy leave by the Rockers' Goatee to tie the series. Play was suspended at this point for the integrity of the tournament since play is not going at an acceptable quality level. After the resumption of play, Jasmine took a 2-1 series lead for the Cascades, taking the 7 after a scratch by Goatee. Jasmine claimed the series with an early five-ball run and lucky contact on the 6 after snookering herself, setting Goatee up for a scratch shot on the 7, which did occur as planned, resulting in Jasmine moving to 3-1 in the series. Goatee got one back in game 5, making the 7 off a carom from the 3 at the bottom side to give Jasmine a 3-2 series win. Jasmine, ranked #36 in 7-ball, will play on into the fourth round.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Chris v. Smudge. Completing the trio of 7-ball series, we have a finale from the urban core. The silver cue will make the appearance for the red cue here. Infinity City's Smudge looked cautiously comfortable in game 1 of this series, finishing with a softly-hit three-ball run-out to take a 1-0 lead. Game 2 was a little shakier, but Chris of Capital City took it by mopping up the 7 after the Torpedoes' Smudge couldn't corral it in a more back-and-forth style of play. The Sharpshooters' Chris weathered a run from Smudge mid-game, taking the 5 on an aggressive cut that ended up double-kissing (a rather hard kiss too) the 5 to the top left. With a shot from distance on the 7, Chris upped his authority and potted it the bottom left for the 2-1 series lead. Smudge took advantage of Chris' break leaving the 7 by the top side, banking the 2 off the left rail and using it to carom off the 4 to tap the 7 in, retying the series at 2. Chris took the series 3-2 in a fairly luck-fueled game 5. The last shot summed it up, as Chris again deployed an aggressive double-kiss that redirected the 7 to the bottom left perfectly for the win. Chris, ranked #59 in 7-ball, will host his fourth round series at this venue against Kayla of the Queens Flames.
Apple Center, Todavía: Leonardo v. Easter. This is an intra-team game for these two players, both members of the Stills. Game 1 saw both players a little cautious and careful with their shot attempts, but Easter opened things up at the end with a three-ball run-out, going with a 7-8 combination to the bottom right, a positioning play with the 7 going down, and a bank off the top rail to take the 9 in the bottom side for a 1-0 lead. Easter moved to 2-0 in the series when Leonardo scratched in game 2, allowing Easter another three-ball run-out. Leonardo did scratch late again in game 3, but redeemed himself on the 8 with a strong kick from the left rail to drive it to the top right, only to miss the 9. Easter took the 9 with a sharp shot from distance to the top right to clinch the series at 3-0. Easter had a luck-fueled three-ball run at the start of game 4, which ended in a scratch that allowed the 1-9 combination for Leonardo to get on the board. Easter never got a clear shot despite leaving the 9 right at the edge of the top left pocket on the break. Leonardo found the highlight reel in game 5, cutting the 3 into the top side and watching the cue ball carom two rails to forcefully drive the 4 to the bottom right for the double-pot. Leonardo later took the game on a carom from the 6 to tap the 9 to the top left, making it a 3-2 series win for Easter. Ranked #44 in 9-ball, Easter is set to play on in the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Stripes. Once again, the silver cue draws into a series, subbing for the blue cue to keep the appearances evenly divided. This is a set of 12-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Stripes did an excellent job of getting herself set up in game 1, and even though she had a wild card ball, she didn't really need it as she took a 1-0 series lead when Royal's Jake let his defenses up too soon. The Meteors' Stripes again took advantage of picking up a wild card ball in the middle of the game, and continued with excellent set-up shots and positioning to go up 2-0. Her final shot left the cue dangerously on the edge of the top right pocket. Stripes fell behind early in game 3 as the Crowns' Jake worked his way around the table, but he got stopped up when Stripes had three balls in his way to get the 9 to the top right. The defense didn't budge until it had to, as Stripes took all three balls on one turn to clinch the series at 3-0. Jake ended up with a win in game 4, getting a second chance to sink the 15 in the bottom side after chipping the first one wide from the kitchen after Stripes scratched. Stripes had another late scratch that allowed Jake to set up, and she couldn't bank the 4 to the top side to sneak away with another win, dropping to a 3-1 lead. Jake made quick work of game 5, running three balls at the start and working efficiently to get the rest through his set-ups. The final blow came when Stripes couldn't contact the 5 on a cut attempt. Stripes still won 3-2 in the series, and advances her #58 ranked 12-ball campaign.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Snuggle v. Acorn. Two competitive captains play the first half of the 15-ball doubleheader, with the blue cue returning to action. Lighton's Acorn took charge in game 1, pulling off a seven-ball run-out with a high level of accuracy and execution, leaving Oceanside's Snuggle dumbfounded from the sidelines. The Waves' Snuggle bounced back, weathering early storms from the Prestige's Acorn before going on a four-ball run and dominating possession in the later stages of game 2, tying the series at 1 with the final two balls after Acorn's scratch. Game 3 was very sloppy, but mostly because the 15 was near the bottom side, which tends to take conventional shooting out of the mix for the hopes of some kind of carom shot. Snuggle ended up taking the game by tapping in the 15 to the bottom right after Acorn earlier disturbed it and then failed to make it on a bank attempt, giving Snuggle a 2-1 lead. Acorn tied it again in game 4, working a four-ball run-out with execution again as the centerpiece to his win. Snuggle made a critical mistake in game 5, missing the 6 in such a way that it lined Acorn up for a very easy 6-15 combination to take a 3-2 series win. Acorn, ranked #95 in 15-ball, will travel next to Victoria's Lay's Field Events Center to play against the Spurs B. Chapman in the fourth round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Kavan. For the second 15-ball series, the red cue draws back in for the first of eight straight series on its ledger. Central's Dustin took a testy game 1 with a three-ball run-out after at least a dozen shots were taken at the 10, most from bad locations. The Warriors' Dustin took a 2-0 series lead after Freedom's Kavan left the 6-15 combination lined up, which Dustin was more than willing to make as the red cue continued to be inaccurate. The second half of game 3 ended up being full of mistakes, as both players tended to scratch, make illegal contact, and generally miss easy shots. In the end, the Cascades' Kavan scratched to give Dustin the ball-in-hand for the 15, which he almost surprisingly made for a 3-0 series lead. Kavan got on the board in the game 4, making the final five balls on two turns to push the series at 3-1. Kavan made it 3-2 in game 5, pulling in a spectacular four-ball run-out on three-shots, with the middle of those being a double-pot with the 9 in the top side and 11 in the bottom right ever so narrowly, which also set up the 15 to the bottom right for the game. Dustin, ranked #20 in 15-ball, will play on into the fourth round. With the loss, Kavan likely saw his Freedom Cascades career come to an end, as Dustin recorded the 22nd elimination this season, his first of the season. Kavan has struggled for two years, but Freedom held on expecting a compensatory pick. However, Kavan decided to return to the league in 2015-16, and this split is not likely to be amicable.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Leonardo. Now, the second of a location-based doubleheader, with 12-ball on tap for the back half. Central's Twilight elected to keep it simple in game 1, as both players had a wild card ball and fairly comfortable with their set up shots on their respective last balls. The Warriors' Twilight simply snookered the cue behind her 10, and Todavía's Leonardo couldn't make contact, giving Twilight the easy ball-in-hand tap-in to win for a 1-0 lead. The Stills' Leonardo absolutely blew it in game 2, twice missing tap-ins on the 14 at the bottom right, a pocket the players were both jockeying for. On his third shot, Leonardo sank the 14 but also scratched, and Twilight managed to get contact and defensive position on with her 5. Leonardo's bank attempt failed, and after three straight shots of her own that didn't do much previously, Twilight finally got the chance to take the ball and the game, for a 2-0 series lead. Twilight clinched the series at 3-0 with a much less nutty win in game 3, dominating on the break and continuing through with just the help of illegal contact by Leonardo at the end, overcoming a wild card ball ceded late on her first turn for the win. Twilight's positioning and shot arrangement outlasted Leonardo's attempted craftiness in game 4, as Twilight knew when to break out the muscle, working a draw shot on the 14 to get set for the 9, which worked to give Twilight a 4-0 lead. In game 5, Twilight gave up two wild card balls early, but played an unfazed game in aligning her shots just right and taking advantage of one mistake by Leonardo to sweep the series 5-0. Twilight continues a bit of an odds-defying 12-ball run, as her #29 ranked bid continues to the fourth round despite being favored in all three previous matchups, a typical death sentence in 12-ball.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Lionel v. Mams. We're back to 15-ball as we head to the urban northwest. Mams of Viewpoint Sound appeared to be in good shape in game 1, running four balls late, but an even later scratch gave Commerce's Lionel the easy finish for a 1-0 lead. The Meteors' Mams tied it with a game 2 win, working a three-ball run-out that ended with a soft carom from the 10 to score the 15 in the bottom left, a brilliantly executed shot with perfect pace. The Tradewinds' Lionel retook a series lead at 2-1, shocking the crowd with a no-look two-rail bank of the 9 that hit the 15 square to pot it in the bottom right for a surprise win. Mams tied it again with a game 4 win, mopping up a missed shot on the 15 by Lionel to make it 2-2 in the series. Lionel took the series 3-2 with a back-and-forth game 5 win, potting the final two balls to secure the series confidently. Lionel, ranked #62 in 15-ball, will oppose Dustin of the Central Warriors at Nestle's Warriors Hall since Dustin won 10 games ago.
Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Leonette. Continuing the alternating, the next series is 12-ball from the southwest coast. Pacific's Leonette got a little crafty at the end of a solidly conducted game 1, using intentional illegal contact to set up for her last two shots, which she took as Todavía's Easter needed the two pockets the Volcanoes' Leonette had protected by her remaining balls. Leonette tried crafty again in game 2, but her intentional scratch just made the Stills' Easter using a left rail kick to pot the 11 in the top right for the series-tying shot all the more spectacular. Leonette retook the series lead at 2-1 in game 3, making all six of her balls in two turns, with the help of Easter taking a foul for missing contact on her final ball to give Leonette ball-in-hand for the last two. Leonette charged to victory in game 4, pulling off remarkable shots after a hideous break, including a five-ball run-out to clinch the series at 3-1 and cement her status as both the alternate to Princess in the MVP and Comeback Player of the Year races. Leonette secured the series at 4-1 in game 5, going on a four-ball run-out after a much better behind-the-rack break, the newest fad in 12-ball. Leonette, ranked #108 for 12-ball, is set to face Twilight of the Warriors at Nestle's Warriors Hall in Central in the fourth round.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Allison. We move along to 8-ball now, with two southwest derby teams sending in representative to the heated rivalry. Tysini's Allison dominated at the start, running six balls on her first turn, which allowed Victoria's Spice to clear four of her own later. The Hummingbirds' Allison won with simple shooting once there was enough space for her to operate, going to 1-0 in the series. The Spurs' Spice made a hugely individual effort in game 2, as Allison was more methodical in her shooting. Spice pieced together separate three-ball runs, the last one on two shots as she double-potted the 3 in the top left on a cut that left a brilliant path to the 5 in the bottom left, while also setting up the 8 for the equalizer in the series. Allison retook the series lead with a game 3 win, in a more tight game later on. Both players excelled early, with a six-ball run by Spice chipped away at by two scratches. Allison avoided the scratching fouls, and ground out the win after Spice did some set-up work on the 8. Allison gave game 4 away to Spice, playing pretty well after Spice's scratch but falling apart when it came time to break up a cluster that included the 8. As you can probably tell, Allison's dynamite-esque shot potted the 8 prematurely, allowing Spice to take the game and tie the series at 2. Game 5 went right to the wire, with the momentum swinging each direction wildly. A series of close misses defined the end of the game, none more than Spice's miss on the 8, allowing Allison to take the series 3-2. Allison, ranked #93 in 8-ball, will play on in the fourth round.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Paps. The other half of the 8-ball doubleheader leads off the night games. Southern's Shannon took a very tight game 1 after Pronger's Paps left the 8 short at the bottom right. Shannon of the Monarchs sneaked the 3 around the 8 and then tapped the 8 in to go up 1-0 in the series. The Tridents' Paps tied the series by learning his lesson in game 2, banking the 13 from top rail to bottom side and then finishing on the 8 instead of leaving it short in another close game. Paps' final two shots in game 3 were a defensive play that induced Shannon into missing contact on the 6, and a tap-in to the top right from ball-in-hand to go up 2-1 in the series after playing smart and getting everything to align for a four-ball run earlier. Shannon essentially copied game 1 in game 4, taking advantage of Paps leaving the 8 short to sink her well-placed final ball and then make easy work on the 8, retying the series at 2. Paps had a seven-ball run in game 5, using two double-pots that dazzled to get down to the 8, but Shannon proved resilient and defensive, holding Paps off until she could mop up the rest of her balls and the 8. After three squandered attempts at the 8 by Paps, Shannon won it and the series as well at 3-2. Ranked #61 in 8-ball, Shannon is into the fourth round with her triumph.
Intel Center, Diamond: Olivia v. Patches. Onto 12-ball again, from the east this time. Boston's Patches outplayed Diamond's Olivia in all facets, relinquishing her wild card ball in the process of making illegal contact to knock the 2 away from its required pocket. The Swifts' Patches then patiently cleared off four balls, keeping the 2 from the pocket through strong defense, and Patches took a 1-0 series lead after the herculean effort. Patches had the Gems' Olivia on her back foot for almost all of game 2 as well, as Olivia got buried early in possession and Patches very carefully played simultaneous defense and alignment, waiting for the right moment to strike for the win, which came when the cue was left at the center of the table with Patches needing and succeeding at both sides. Patches went up 2-0 with the brilliant performance. Game 3 was more of the same from Patches, as she continued to manipulate the table effectively, working the sides first and the right corners after that to be in a position of extreme strength from solid set-up work. The last two took some time, but Olivia was not set up anywhere, so time was plentiful for Patches, and she used as much as she needed for a win and 3-0 series lead. Olivia made game 4 close, as Patches did not have her usual efficient break, surrendering a wild card ball early. The thing that saved Patches was Olivia's struggles in sinking the 3 to the top left, which cost her valuable possession and allowed a more accurate Patches to cruise through her full complement of shots until she broke through for a victory and 4-0 lead. Patches bounced back with a more dominant effort in game 5, working her way left to right before Olivia bumped the 13 in for her, simplifying the final shot significantly as Patches took the series in a 5-0 sweep. Ranked #115, Patches will travel to Harrison to face the Specters' Twinkie II at the Mercedes-Benz Forum in the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Olivia. Speaking of which, Diamond's Olivia faces Harrison's Twinkie II next in Survival. The Specters' Twinkie II took game 1 near the start of the second rack, playing a bit defensively despite her dangerous status, which worked to push the Gems' Olivia over the ledge and give Twinkie II a 1-0 lead in the series. The players played evenly at the start of game 2, but Twinkie II gained the upper hand once shots became tougher, gradually pushing Olivia back and finally dropping her again at the start of the second rack for a 2-0 lead. Olivia's losing streak reached eight games as she rattled the 1 out of the top side late in the first rack of game 3, giving Twinkie II the series at 3-0. Olivia dominated from the start in game 4, but it still took halfway through rack two for Twinkie II to fade away, and Olivia would have been in trouble without gathering so many extra lives throughout the game. The series stands at 3-1 with a game to play. Olivia continued her strong play in garbage time for game 5, but faded late. It wasn't late enough for Twinkie II, whose late struggles may just be politeness as she locked the series up at 3-2. Twinkie II, ranked #6 in Survival, will continue on to host a fourth round series. With the loss, Olivia's UPCL career is likely over, pending the Gems' ability to make the playoffs or Humanity West calling upon her for the postseason. Her retirement will award the Diamond Gems a compensatory pick. Twinkie II had her first kill of the season in taking out Olivia with the help of her next 12-ball opponent as mentioned above.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Whiskers v. Sierra. After a long slumber, the blue cue returns for 7-ball in the southwest. Infinity City's Whiskers jumped out to a 1-0 lead immediately, taking the 7 on the break to the bottom side, as it rattled off both edges before dropping in a dramatic fashion. Todavía's Sierra looked good in game 2, but it wasn't her skill that earned her the series-tying win, as the Torpedoes' Whiskers did more harm than help to herself by scratching on the 7. Whiskers took a 2-1 series lead with a three-ball run-out to claim game 3 after the Stills' Sierra had a little too much power on one shot that ended up scratching, giving Whiskers the useful ball-in-hand. Whiskers had a three-ball run going in game 4 before scratching, allowing Sierra to complete a four-ball run-out and tie the series again at 2 games apiece. In game 5, the shots were very sloppy on both sides, and it was a bit of lucky, good slop that gave Whiskers the game, as she rattled the 6 around and it took three rails to the bottom right, with a good leave on the 7 to win the series 3-2. Whiskers is ranked #1 in 7-ball and will host another series in the fourth round at this venue.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Shaggy v. Ice Cream. The red cue returns for the last two series of the day, with this one being 8-ball. Southridge's Shaggy used a five-ball run and a bit of defense to top Commerce's Ice Cream, who had a four-ball run but couldn't connect with the 8, giving the Defenders' Shaggy a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 lacked the same run-and-gun style, with the break being a little weak but definitely diverse with the leave. In the end, Shaggy chipped away fastest in what became a Poison Ivy Game later on, finishing a modest two-ball run-out to move to 2-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Ice Cream played a brilliant game 3, pulling herself into the 2-1 series with a four-ball run that also saw her casually use the 8 on a carom to wipe out the defense at the top left pocket, which is where she put it two turns later for the win. Ice Cream tied the series with a remarkable five-ball run-out, including a triple-kiss to get the 1 to the bottom right, a wicked sharp cut on the 2 to the top side, and perfect positioning on the other three, including the equalizing 8, to make Shaggy really pay for not kicking the 8 in on her opportunity. Ice Cream kicked up the authority in game 5, running five balls at one point to put Shaggy into scramble mode. Ice Cream did get a free whack at the 8 after Shaggy scratched late, but Ice Cream missed. When Shaggy couldn't bury the 9, Ice Cream took advantage of the second chance to pot the 8, winning the game and taking the series 3-2. Ice Cream is ranked #90 in 8-ball and will play on into the fourth round.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Dusky. Finally, in the east, we have 10-ball to wrap up the full day portion of the a two-day-listed-as-one post. Archtown's Dusky banged in the 10 to win game 1 of the series, a back-and-forth affair that continued recent difficulties with the game of 10-ball. It has proven to be the hardest game this round, if not this entire tournament, and these players are about to start trying to innovate a solution to the poor breaks. Freedom's Stinky took game 2 on a three-ball run-out after a break from the center did little to change the effects of the break. The Cascades' Stinky mopped up after interesting decisions by the Arrows' Dusky. Early on, Stinky ended up taking more shots in his run, but Dusky got the ball back after a miss. At the end, Stinky finished by potting the last two balls to go up 2-1 in the series. Dusky had a five-ball run aided by an uncalled double-pot of the 6 and 7 both in the top right after a kick shot, but Stinky deferred, which ended up working when Dusky missed the 10 at the end of her turn. Stinky's tap-in earned him the series at 3-1. Dusky again converted a wicked shot after being deferred to, using a 4-9 combination to the top left to extend her turn. After a chippy late stage, Dusky tapped in on the 10 to give Stinky just a 3-2 series win. Ranked #18 in 10-ball, Stinky is set to host the Lighton Prestige's captain, Acorn, at this venue in the fourth round.
We'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with less personal problems.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Midnight v. Paps. The first series of the day is 10-ball. The players felt each other out in game 1 a bit, playing a little tight but without much defense. In the end, Paps of Pronger made a shot on the 10 to the top right from distance after Commerce's Midnight couldn't convert a similar one, with the Tridents' Paps moving to 1-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Midnight was lucky to tie the series in game 2, getting a second chance after Paps rattled out her short leave at the bottom right. Paps retook a series lead at 2-1, winning a frustrating game 3 that saw the 5 get chased around before Midnight took it with the cue jumping the table. Paps made the 6 and then pulled off a 7-10 combination to the bottom side with tempers boiling for the win. Midnight tied it again in an even testier game 4, winning just before another flare-up by using a hard carom off the 7 to take the 10 in the bottom right. Paps took the series 3-2, winning in game 5 with a carom off the 8 to bump the 10 into the bottom side. Paps, ranked #104 in the 10-ball, is set to face Graham of the Eastside Sharks at HP Field Events Center in the fourth round.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Rainmane v. Jack. We begin a tripleheader of 7-ball from the northeast. Also, the Dark Marble Swirl billiard set has replaced the standard Aramith set as the league attempts to keep the pace of play at peaceful and healthy, something that has lacked in this round so far. Pacific's Jack took a very back-and-forth game 1 with a tap-in on his second whack at the 7 after Web City's Rainmane couldn't make a cut on it from distance. The Spiders' Rainmane tied the series with a deft touch on the 7 in game 2, avoiding the likely scratch in the top side on the cut to the top left with a shot that had just the right amount of pace. The Volcanoes' Jack was back in mop-up duty, handling another missed 7 by Rainmane at the bottom right to move to a 2-1 series lead. Jack took the series at 3-1 with a three-ball run-out, finally showing some semblance of controlling possession for longer than a shot or two. Jack iced the series at 4-1 with an anticlimactic game 5 victory. Jack, ranked #105 in 7-ball, is set to travel to Royal for a meeting with the Crowns' Jake at Kraft Forum.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Goatee v. Jasmine. In the middle series, we head west to continue the 7-ball streak. Westside's Goatee began with a game 1 victory, running out the final three balls for a 1-0 series lead, although a suspension of play is looming for the second time in three days. Jasmine of Freedom tied it in game 2, mopping up a sloppy leave by the Rockers' Goatee to tie the series. Play was suspended at this point for the integrity of the tournament since play is not going at an acceptable quality level. After the resumption of play, Jasmine took a 2-1 series lead for the Cascades, taking the 7 after a scratch by Goatee. Jasmine claimed the series with an early five-ball run and lucky contact on the 6 after snookering herself, setting Goatee up for a scratch shot on the 7, which did occur as planned, resulting in Jasmine moving to 3-1 in the series. Goatee got one back in game 5, making the 7 off a carom from the 3 at the bottom side to give Jasmine a 3-2 series win. Jasmine, ranked #36 in 7-ball, will play on into the fourth round.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Chris v. Smudge. Completing the trio of 7-ball series, we have a finale from the urban core. The silver cue will make the appearance for the red cue here. Infinity City's Smudge looked cautiously comfortable in game 1 of this series, finishing with a softly-hit three-ball run-out to take a 1-0 lead. Game 2 was a little shakier, but Chris of Capital City took it by mopping up the 7 after the Torpedoes' Smudge couldn't corral it in a more back-and-forth style of play. The Sharpshooters' Chris weathered a run from Smudge mid-game, taking the 5 on an aggressive cut that ended up double-kissing (a rather hard kiss too) the 5 to the top left. With a shot from distance on the 7, Chris upped his authority and potted it the bottom left for the 2-1 series lead. Smudge took advantage of Chris' break leaving the 7 by the top side, banking the 2 off the left rail and using it to carom off the 4 to tap the 7 in, retying the series at 2. Chris took the series 3-2 in a fairly luck-fueled game 5. The last shot summed it up, as Chris again deployed an aggressive double-kiss that redirected the 7 to the bottom left perfectly for the win. Chris, ranked #59 in 7-ball, will host his fourth round series at this venue against Kayla of the Queens Flames.
Apple Center, Todavía: Leonardo v. Easter. This is an intra-team game for these two players, both members of the Stills. Game 1 saw both players a little cautious and careful with their shot attempts, but Easter opened things up at the end with a three-ball run-out, going with a 7-8 combination to the bottom right, a positioning play with the 7 going down, and a bank off the top rail to take the 9 in the bottom side for a 1-0 lead. Easter moved to 2-0 in the series when Leonardo scratched in game 2, allowing Easter another three-ball run-out. Leonardo did scratch late again in game 3, but redeemed himself on the 8 with a strong kick from the left rail to drive it to the top right, only to miss the 9. Easter took the 9 with a sharp shot from distance to the top right to clinch the series at 3-0. Easter had a luck-fueled three-ball run at the start of game 4, which ended in a scratch that allowed the 1-9 combination for Leonardo to get on the board. Easter never got a clear shot despite leaving the 9 right at the edge of the top left pocket on the break. Leonardo found the highlight reel in game 5, cutting the 3 into the top side and watching the cue ball carom two rails to forcefully drive the 4 to the bottom right for the double-pot. Leonardo later took the game on a carom from the 6 to tap the 9 to the top left, making it a 3-2 series win for Easter. Ranked #44 in 9-ball, Easter is set to play on in the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Stripes. Once again, the silver cue draws into a series, subbing for the blue cue to keep the appearances evenly divided. This is a set of 12-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Stripes did an excellent job of getting herself set up in game 1, and even though she had a wild card ball, she didn't really need it as she took a 1-0 series lead when Royal's Jake let his defenses up too soon. The Meteors' Stripes again took advantage of picking up a wild card ball in the middle of the game, and continued with excellent set-up shots and positioning to go up 2-0. Her final shot left the cue dangerously on the edge of the top right pocket. Stripes fell behind early in game 3 as the Crowns' Jake worked his way around the table, but he got stopped up when Stripes had three balls in his way to get the 9 to the top right. The defense didn't budge until it had to, as Stripes took all three balls on one turn to clinch the series at 3-0. Jake ended up with a win in game 4, getting a second chance to sink the 15 in the bottom side after chipping the first one wide from the kitchen after Stripes scratched. Stripes had another late scratch that allowed Jake to set up, and she couldn't bank the 4 to the top side to sneak away with another win, dropping to a 3-1 lead. Jake made quick work of game 5, running three balls at the start and working efficiently to get the rest through his set-ups. The final blow came when Stripes couldn't contact the 5 on a cut attempt. Stripes still won 3-2 in the series, and advances her #58 ranked 12-ball campaign.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Snuggle v. Acorn. Two competitive captains play the first half of the 15-ball doubleheader, with the blue cue returning to action. Lighton's Acorn took charge in game 1, pulling off a seven-ball run-out with a high level of accuracy and execution, leaving Oceanside's Snuggle dumbfounded from the sidelines. The Waves' Snuggle bounced back, weathering early storms from the Prestige's Acorn before going on a four-ball run and dominating possession in the later stages of game 2, tying the series at 1 with the final two balls after Acorn's scratch. Game 3 was very sloppy, but mostly because the 15 was near the bottom side, which tends to take conventional shooting out of the mix for the hopes of some kind of carom shot. Snuggle ended up taking the game by tapping in the 15 to the bottom right after Acorn earlier disturbed it and then failed to make it on a bank attempt, giving Snuggle a 2-1 lead. Acorn tied it again in game 4, working a four-ball run-out with execution again as the centerpiece to his win. Snuggle made a critical mistake in game 5, missing the 6 in such a way that it lined Acorn up for a very easy 6-15 combination to take a 3-2 series win. Acorn, ranked #95 in 15-ball, will travel next to Victoria's Lay's Field Events Center to play against the Spurs B. Chapman in the fourth round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Kavan. For the second 15-ball series, the red cue draws back in for the first of eight straight series on its ledger. Central's Dustin took a testy game 1 with a three-ball run-out after at least a dozen shots were taken at the 10, most from bad locations. The Warriors' Dustin took a 2-0 series lead after Freedom's Kavan left the 6-15 combination lined up, which Dustin was more than willing to make as the red cue continued to be inaccurate. The second half of game 3 ended up being full of mistakes, as both players tended to scratch, make illegal contact, and generally miss easy shots. In the end, the Cascades' Kavan scratched to give Dustin the ball-in-hand for the 15, which he almost surprisingly made for a 3-0 series lead. Kavan got on the board in the game 4, making the final five balls on two turns to push the series at 3-1. Kavan made it 3-2 in game 5, pulling in a spectacular four-ball run-out on three-shots, with the middle of those being a double-pot with the 9 in the top side and 11 in the bottom right ever so narrowly, which also set up the 15 to the bottom right for the game. Dustin, ranked #20 in 15-ball, will play on into the fourth round. With the loss, Kavan likely saw his Freedom Cascades career come to an end, as Dustin recorded the 22nd elimination this season, his first of the season. Kavan has struggled for two years, but Freedom held on expecting a compensatory pick. However, Kavan decided to return to the league in 2015-16, and this split is not likely to be amicable.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Leonardo. Now, the second of a location-based doubleheader, with 12-ball on tap for the back half. Central's Twilight elected to keep it simple in game 1, as both players had a wild card ball and fairly comfortable with their set up shots on their respective last balls. The Warriors' Twilight simply snookered the cue behind her 10, and Todavía's Leonardo couldn't make contact, giving Twilight the easy ball-in-hand tap-in to win for a 1-0 lead. The Stills' Leonardo absolutely blew it in game 2, twice missing tap-ins on the 14 at the bottom right, a pocket the players were both jockeying for. On his third shot, Leonardo sank the 14 but also scratched, and Twilight managed to get contact and defensive position on with her 5. Leonardo's bank attempt failed, and after three straight shots of her own that didn't do much previously, Twilight finally got the chance to take the ball and the game, for a 2-0 series lead. Twilight clinched the series at 3-0 with a much less nutty win in game 3, dominating on the break and continuing through with just the help of illegal contact by Leonardo at the end, overcoming a wild card ball ceded late on her first turn for the win. Twilight's positioning and shot arrangement outlasted Leonardo's attempted craftiness in game 4, as Twilight knew when to break out the muscle, working a draw shot on the 14 to get set for the 9, which worked to give Twilight a 4-0 lead. In game 5, Twilight gave up two wild card balls early, but played an unfazed game in aligning her shots just right and taking advantage of one mistake by Leonardo to sweep the series 5-0. Twilight continues a bit of an odds-defying 12-ball run, as her #29 ranked bid continues to the fourth round despite being favored in all three previous matchups, a typical death sentence in 12-ball.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Lionel v. Mams. We're back to 15-ball as we head to the urban northwest. Mams of Viewpoint Sound appeared to be in good shape in game 1, running four balls late, but an even later scratch gave Commerce's Lionel the easy finish for a 1-0 lead. The Meteors' Mams tied it with a game 2 win, working a three-ball run-out that ended with a soft carom from the 10 to score the 15 in the bottom left, a brilliantly executed shot with perfect pace. The Tradewinds' Lionel retook a series lead at 2-1, shocking the crowd with a no-look two-rail bank of the 9 that hit the 15 square to pot it in the bottom right for a surprise win. Mams tied it again with a game 4 win, mopping up a missed shot on the 15 by Lionel to make it 2-2 in the series. Lionel took the series 3-2 with a back-and-forth game 5 win, potting the final two balls to secure the series confidently. Lionel, ranked #62 in 15-ball, will oppose Dustin of the Central Warriors at Nestle's Warriors Hall since Dustin won 10 games ago.
Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Leonette. Continuing the alternating, the next series is 12-ball from the southwest coast. Pacific's Leonette got a little crafty at the end of a solidly conducted game 1, using intentional illegal contact to set up for her last two shots, which she took as Todavía's Easter needed the two pockets the Volcanoes' Leonette had protected by her remaining balls. Leonette tried crafty again in game 2, but her intentional scratch just made the Stills' Easter using a left rail kick to pot the 11 in the top right for the series-tying shot all the more spectacular. Leonette retook the series lead at 2-1 in game 3, making all six of her balls in two turns, with the help of Easter taking a foul for missing contact on her final ball to give Leonette ball-in-hand for the last two. Leonette charged to victory in game 4, pulling off remarkable shots after a hideous break, including a five-ball run-out to clinch the series at 3-1 and cement her status as both the alternate to Princess in the MVP and Comeback Player of the Year races. Leonette secured the series at 4-1 in game 5, going on a four-ball run-out after a much better behind-the-rack break, the newest fad in 12-ball. Leonette, ranked #108 for 12-ball, is set to face Twilight of the Warriors at Nestle's Warriors Hall in Central in the fourth round.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Allison. We move along to 8-ball now, with two southwest derby teams sending in representative to the heated rivalry. Tysini's Allison dominated at the start, running six balls on her first turn, which allowed Victoria's Spice to clear four of her own later. The Hummingbirds' Allison won with simple shooting once there was enough space for her to operate, going to 1-0 in the series. The Spurs' Spice made a hugely individual effort in game 2, as Allison was more methodical in her shooting. Spice pieced together separate three-ball runs, the last one on two shots as she double-potted the 3 in the top left on a cut that left a brilliant path to the 5 in the bottom left, while also setting up the 8 for the equalizer in the series. Allison retook the series lead with a game 3 win, in a more tight game later on. Both players excelled early, with a six-ball run by Spice chipped away at by two scratches. Allison avoided the scratching fouls, and ground out the win after Spice did some set-up work on the 8. Allison gave game 4 away to Spice, playing pretty well after Spice's scratch but falling apart when it came time to break up a cluster that included the 8. As you can probably tell, Allison's dynamite-esque shot potted the 8 prematurely, allowing Spice to take the game and tie the series at 2. Game 5 went right to the wire, with the momentum swinging each direction wildly. A series of close misses defined the end of the game, none more than Spice's miss on the 8, allowing Allison to take the series 3-2. Allison, ranked #93 in 8-ball, will play on in the fourth round.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Paps. The other half of the 8-ball doubleheader leads off the night games. Southern's Shannon took a very tight game 1 after Pronger's Paps left the 8 short at the bottom right. Shannon of the Monarchs sneaked the 3 around the 8 and then tapped the 8 in to go up 1-0 in the series. The Tridents' Paps tied the series by learning his lesson in game 2, banking the 13 from top rail to bottom side and then finishing on the 8 instead of leaving it short in another close game. Paps' final two shots in game 3 were a defensive play that induced Shannon into missing contact on the 6, and a tap-in to the top right from ball-in-hand to go up 2-1 in the series after playing smart and getting everything to align for a four-ball run earlier. Shannon essentially copied game 1 in game 4, taking advantage of Paps leaving the 8 short to sink her well-placed final ball and then make easy work on the 8, retying the series at 2. Paps had a seven-ball run in game 5, using two double-pots that dazzled to get down to the 8, but Shannon proved resilient and defensive, holding Paps off until she could mop up the rest of her balls and the 8. After three squandered attempts at the 8 by Paps, Shannon won it and the series as well at 3-2. Ranked #61 in 8-ball, Shannon is into the fourth round with her triumph.
Intel Center, Diamond: Olivia v. Patches. Onto 12-ball again, from the east this time. Boston's Patches outplayed Diamond's Olivia in all facets, relinquishing her wild card ball in the process of making illegal contact to knock the 2 away from its required pocket. The Swifts' Patches then patiently cleared off four balls, keeping the 2 from the pocket through strong defense, and Patches took a 1-0 series lead after the herculean effort. Patches had the Gems' Olivia on her back foot for almost all of game 2 as well, as Olivia got buried early in possession and Patches very carefully played simultaneous defense and alignment, waiting for the right moment to strike for the win, which came when the cue was left at the center of the table with Patches needing and succeeding at both sides. Patches went up 2-0 with the brilliant performance. Game 3 was more of the same from Patches, as she continued to manipulate the table effectively, working the sides first and the right corners after that to be in a position of extreme strength from solid set-up work. The last two took some time, but Olivia was not set up anywhere, so time was plentiful for Patches, and she used as much as she needed for a win and 3-0 series lead. Olivia made game 4 close, as Patches did not have her usual efficient break, surrendering a wild card ball early. The thing that saved Patches was Olivia's struggles in sinking the 3 to the top left, which cost her valuable possession and allowed a more accurate Patches to cruise through her full complement of shots until she broke through for a victory and 4-0 lead. Patches bounced back with a more dominant effort in game 5, working her way left to right before Olivia bumped the 13 in for her, simplifying the final shot significantly as Patches took the series in a 5-0 sweep. Ranked #115, Patches will travel to Harrison to face the Specters' Twinkie II at the Mercedes-Benz Forum in the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Olivia. Speaking of which, Diamond's Olivia faces Harrison's Twinkie II next in Survival. The Specters' Twinkie II took game 1 near the start of the second rack, playing a bit defensively despite her dangerous status, which worked to push the Gems' Olivia over the ledge and give Twinkie II a 1-0 lead in the series. The players played evenly at the start of game 2, but Twinkie II gained the upper hand once shots became tougher, gradually pushing Olivia back and finally dropping her again at the start of the second rack for a 2-0 lead. Olivia's losing streak reached eight games as she rattled the 1 out of the top side late in the first rack of game 3, giving Twinkie II the series at 3-0. Olivia dominated from the start in game 4, but it still took halfway through rack two for Twinkie II to fade away, and Olivia would have been in trouble without gathering so many extra lives throughout the game. The series stands at 3-1 with a game to play. Olivia continued her strong play in garbage time for game 5, but faded late. It wasn't late enough for Twinkie II, whose late struggles may just be politeness as she locked the series up at 3-2. Twinkie II, ranked #6 in Survival, will continue on to host a fourth round series. With the loss, Olivia's UPCL career is likely over, pending the Gems' ability to make the playoffs or Humanity West calling upon her for the postseason. Her retirement will award the Diamond Gems a compensatory pick. Twinkie II had her first kill of the season in taking out Olivia with the help of her next 12-ball opponent as mentioned above.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Whiskers v. Sierra. After a long slumber, the blue cue returns for 7-ball in the southwest. Infinity City's Whiskers jumped out to a 1-0 lead immediately, taking the 7 on the break to the bottom side, as it rattled off both edges before dropping in a dramatic fashion. Todavía's Sierra looked good in game 2, but it wasn't her skill that earned her the series-tying win, as the Torpedoes' Whiskers did more harm than help to herself by scratching on the 7. Whiskers took a 2-1 series lead with a three-ball run-out to claim game 3 after the Stills' Sierra had a little too much power on one shot that ended up scratching, giving Whiskers the useful ball-in-hand. Whiskers had a three-ball run going in game 4 before scratching, allowing Sierra to complete a four-ball run-out and tie the series again at 2 games apiece. In game 5, the shots were very sloppy on both sides, and it was a bit of lucky, good slop that gave Whiskers the game, as she rattled the 6 around and it took three rails to the bottom right, with a good leave on the 7 to win the series 3-2. Whiskers is ranked #1 in 7-ball and will host another series in the fourth round at this venue.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Shaggy v. Ice Cream. The red cue returns for the last two series of the day, with this one being 8-ball. Southridge's Shaggy used a five-ball run and a bit of defense to top Commerce's Ice Cream, who had a four-ball run but couldn't connect with the 8, giving the Defenders' Shaggy a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 lacked the same run-and-gun style, with the break being a little weak but definitely diverse with the leave. In the end, Shaggy chipped away fastest in what became a Poison Ivy Game later on, finishing a modest two-ball run-out to move to 2-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Ice Cream played a brilliant game 3, pulling herself into the 2-1 series with a four-ball run that also saw her casually use the 8 on a carom to wipe out the defense at the top left pocket, which is where she put it two turns later for the win. Ice Cream tied the series with a remarkable five-ball run-out, including a triple-kiss to get the 1 to the bottom right, a wicked sharp cut on the 2 to the top side, and perfect positioning on the other three, including the equalizing 8, to make Shaggy really pay for not kicking the 8 in on her opportunity. Ice Cream kicked up the authority in game 5, running five balls at one point to put Shaggy into scramble mode. Ice Cream did get a free whack at the 8 after Shaggy scratched late, but Ice Cream missed. When Shaggy couldn't bury the 9, Ice Cream took advantage of the second chance to pot the 8, winning the game and taking the series 3-2. Ice Cream is ranked #90 in 8-ball and will play on into the fourth round.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Dusky. Finally, in the east, we have 10-ball to wrap up the full day portion of the a two-day-listed-as-one post. Archtown's Dusky banged in the 10 to win game 1 of the series, a back-and-forth affair that continued recent difficulties with the game of 10-ball. It has proven to be the hardest game this round, if not this entire tournament, and these players are about to start trying to innovate a solution to the poor breaks. Freedom's Stinky took game 2 on a three-ball run-out after a break from the center did little to change the effects of the break. The Cascades' Stinky mopped up after interesting decisions by the Arrows' Dusky. Early on, Stinky ended up taking more shots in his run, but Dusky got the ball back after a miss. At the end, Stinky finished by potting the last two balls to go up 2-1 in the series. Dusky had a five-ball run aided by an uncalled double-pot of the 6 and 7 both in the top right after a kick shot, but Stinky deferred, which ended up working when Dusky missed the 10 at the end of her turn. Stinky's tap-in earned him the series at 3-1. Dusky again converted a wicked shot after being deferred to, using a 4-9 combination to the top left to extend her turn. After a chippy late stage, Dusky tapped in on the 10 to give Stinky just a 3-2 series win. Ranked #18 in 10-ball, Stinky is set to host the Lighton Prestige's captain, Acorn, at this venue in the fourth round.
We'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with less personal problems.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Summer Cricket League: Week 3 Part 3
This will bring us to the end of the third week of SCL play, the quarter mark for the season. There are three league games and two Showcases for this post, as well as a standings update. We begin with...
The Prague Checkmates hosting the Brussels Chocolatiers. Patrido Salazar had only 56 for Brussels to begin, continuing their very prominent road struggles. Pancho Barrios grabbed 144 for Prague. Florent Claes wrangled 162 for the Chocolatiers, keeping the score low early on. Lucila Zavala put up 203 for the Checkmates, keeping them narrowly ahead. Dobromil Zeman cranked out 752 for Brussels against in his homecoming to the Czech Republic. Hyunjae Kwak couldn't answer for Prague, posting a measly 87 points. Rodas Cazares slapped another 400 to put the Chocolatiers ahead. Corentin Aerts had 256 for the Checkmates against his home country's team. Eric Zaragoza tacked on 357 for Brussels, keeping them in charge of the game for once. Darryl Estrada mustered just 227 for the home-averse Prague squad. Jaturun Choen ripped 361 for the Chocolatiers, giving them a final of 2088. Rayan Carranza had just 112 for the Checkmates, as they fell with 1029. Brussels is 2-6, snapping a long cold streak, while Prague remains winless at home and 2-3 overall.
Over in South Korea, the Seoul Crushers welcome regional rivals in the Bangkok Sixes. Firdoze Uns chipped 185 for Bangkok to lead off. Natal Badillo faltered with 36 for Seoul, putting them in the hole at the start. Gilbert Berry uncorked 682 for the Sixes, padding the lead significantly. Gwandoya Makeba corralled 176 for the Crushers, doing little to pull them back in the game. Aleix Nieto hit a weak 126 for Bangkok. Leandro Gamboa broke his slump with 496 for Seoul, getting some points back for the hosts. Zuri Okafor had 135 for the Sixes, as he didn't time his final swing right when the ball took an odd bounce. Max Jennings scored 313, pulling the Crushers closer and well within striking distance. Rodas Nunez faltered with 145 for Bangkok, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Frank Schmidt failed to capitalize for Seoul, hitting a pathetic 53. Luis Godinez put it out of reach, crushing 1117 for the Sixes to give them a final of 2390. Zdenko Jansky had just 90 for the rapid fade of the Crushers, as they fell with 1164. Bangkok stays perfect at 5-0 while Seoul drops to the opposite at 0-5.
Closing out Week 3, the Toronto Mounties bring in the Bangkok Sixes, as the hosts look to avenge their only loss. Firdoze Uns sliced 200 for Bangkok. Cyril Hendrickx answered with 609 for Toronto. Gilbert Berry got stopped at 225 for the Sixes in his homecoming game. Curro Garza collected only 122 for the Mounties, leaving them a little less comfortable. Aleix Nieto grabbed 551 for Bangkok, putting them in the thick of the fight. Axel Maes hit 231 for Toronto, keeping the game close at the midway point. Zuri Okafor stumbled with 20 for the Sixes, leaving the door wide open. Tabor Laureano poked 124, giving the Mounties another narrow lead as the teams reach their strong back-end players. Rodas Nunez again struggled, having a measly 16 for Bangkok, putting them in serious trouble. Jax Puente slugged 415 for Toronto, giving them a better lead. Luis Godinez couldn't match his last effort, scoring 247 this time for the Sixes as they ended with 1259 and a loss. Antoine Hendrickx iced the game at 2132 for the Mounties with 631 by himself for the win. Both teams go to 5-1 in the process.
Now, for the Showcases, with the first being the Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Urban Core North. Kiwi began with 324 for UCN, showing that her season with the Modernistic Union was intentionally worse by design. The disgruntled captain has made it clear she will not return to the Union under any circumstances, much like Dusty did to the Eastside Sharks last year. Frisco Romero shot back with 460 for Guatemala. Another Union player, Chimpy, supplied UCN with 289. Chimpy is more of a pool player, but his struggles in both sports may finally end his time. At the same time, he's just crafty enough to find a way to stick around. Eustacio Zarraga hit only 90 for the Conquistadors. Lionel had a bad bounce, ending with a weak 39 for UCN, which won't do much to convince the Commerce Tradewinds to keep him. He's likely counting on a strong pool season at this point. Kenzo Hashimoto pulled 217 for Guatemala, giving them the lead again. Jennifer, of the Whitewater Shores, scored 223 for UCN, which resembled her regular season play. Flashes of postseason brilliance don't mean much when the Shores generally disappointed, and it looks like she'll be moving on. Curtis Caldwell slugged a Slurpee for the Conquistadors, pounding at 711 to solidify the SCL side's lead. Chicky Phil of the Westside Rockers stumbled with 51 for UCN, but his recent pool playing may save him from another trip to the draft. Azul Mora took the game lightly, hitting 46 for Guatemala as they have a stable lead. Midnight posted 537 for UCN, giving the Commerce Tradewinds something to think about (team management has said they plan to cut one player, but likely not two), but UCN still lost with 1463. Adrien Laurent's 192 gave the Conquistadors a victory with 1716 total.
In the second Showcase, the Prague Checkmates host the Coastal Region. Americus knocked 400 for Coastal, turning a few heads for the Oceanside Waves' player's performance. While already out in pool and in the bottom 25% for cricket likely means Americus will leave the Waves, this goes a long way to show Americus can contribute to a team somewhere. Pancho Barrios shot back with 338 for Prague. Panda had 231 for Coastal, but he's likely to remain with the Southern Monarchs as they want a familiar face in the organization to remain during the course of a likely two-year rebuild, being the least bad player from this lost season. Lucila Zavala had just 192 for the Checkmates, as they struggle to keep up. Roxy struggled with 32 for Coastal, and she's another player likely on the way out of Oceanside. Hyunjae Kwak's 129 made it a very close game for Prague as both teams reach their less-prominent players. Stripes popped 308 for Coastal, shaking things up. The Viewpoint Sound Meteors original is as borderline as they come, so getting a deep run in the pool tournament could very well make up for a tenacious but lackluster cricket effort this season. The Meteors like Stripes in her fourth-hitter role, as her aggressive style suits them well in close home games. Corentin Aerts lined 393 for the Checkmates, putting them ahead. Shawn had a meager 28 for Coastal, likely confirming what a weak cricket and embarrassing pool collapse already indicated. This is a case of the captain going down with the ship, as the Southern Monarchs will likely move on from their longtime face of the franchise. Darryl Estrada grabbed 187 for Prague, extending their lead slightly. Lydia, another Meteors, finished with 455 to put Coastal at 1454 total, forcing a move by the Checkmates. Lydia will be finishing deep in the pool standings, and her squandering of many early season games that Mr. Snowman started off well will likely mean this performance will entice another team more than her current one. Rayan Carranza's 57 left the Checkmates at 1296, giving Coastal the win. UPCL sides are 4-2 so far in Showcase games.
Cricket returns either Sunday or Tuesday, while Pool will go as planned this afternoon and evening.
The Prague Checkmates hosting the Brussels Chocolatiers. Patrido Salazar had only 56 for Brussels to begin, continuing their very prominent road struggles. Pancho Barrios grabbed 144 for Prague. Florent Claes wrangled 162 for the Chocolatiers, keeping the score low early on. Lucila Zavala put up 203 for the Checkmates, keeping them narrowly ahead. Dobromil Zeman cranked out 752 for Brussels against in his homecoming to the Czech Republic. Hyunjae Kwak couldn't answer for Prague, posting a measly 87 points. Rodas Cazares slapped another 400 to put the Chocolatiers ahead. Corentin Aerts had 256 for the Checkmates against his home country's team. Eric Zaragoza tacked on 357 for Brussels, keeping them in charge of the game for once. Darryl Estrada mustered just 227 for the home-averse Prague squad. Jaturun Choen ripped 361 for the Chocolatiers, giving them a final of 2088. Rayan Carranza had just 112 for the Checkmates, as they fell with 1029. Brussels is 2-6, snapping a long cold streak, while Prague remains winless at home and 2-3 overall.
Over in South Korea, the Seoul Crushers welcome regional rivals in the Bangkok Sixes. Firdoze Uns chipped 185 for Bangkok to lead off. Natal Badillo faltered with 36 for Seoul, putting them in the hole at the start. Gilbert Berry uncorked 682 for the Sixes, padding the lead significantly. Gwandoya Makeba corralled 176 for the Crushers, doing little to pull them back in the game. Aleix Nieto hit a weak 126 for Bangkok. Leandro Gamboa broke his slump with 496 for Seoul, getting some points back for the hosts. Zuri Okafor had 135 for the Sixes, as he didn't time his final swing right when the ball took an odd bounce. Max Jennings scored 313, pulling the Crushers closer and well within striking distance. Rodas Nunez faltered with 145 for Bangkok, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Frank Schmidt failed to capitalize for Seoul, hitting a pathetic 53. Luis Godinez put it out of reach, crushing 1117 for the Sixes to give them a final of 2390. Zdenko Jansky had just 90 for the rapid fade of the Crushers, as they fell with 1164. Bangkok stays perfect at 5-0 while Seoul drops to the opposite at 0-5.
Closing out Week 3, the Toronto Mounties bring in the Bangkok Sixes, as the hosts look to avenge their only loss. Firdoze Uns sliced 200 for Bangkok. Cyril Hendrickx answered with 609 for Toronto. Gilbert Berry got stopped at 225 for the Sixes in his homecoming game. Curro Garza collected only 122 for the Mounties, leaving them a little less comfortable. Aleix Nieto grabbed 551 for Bangkok, putting them in the thick of the fight. Axel Maes hit 231 for Toronto, keeping the game close at the midway point. Zuri Okafor stumbled with 20 for the Sixes, leaving the door wide open. Tabor Laureano poked 124, giving the Mounties another narrow lead as the teams reach their strong back-end players. Rodas Nunez again struggled, having a measly 16 for Bangkok, putting them in serious trouble. Jax Puente slugged 415 for Toronto, giving them a better lead. Luis Godinez couldn't match his last effort, scoring 247 this time for the Sixes as they ended with 1259 and a loss. Antoine Hendrickx iced the game at 2132 for the Mounties with 631 by himself for the win. Both teams go to 5-1 in the process.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % |
| American Rebels | 4 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Bangkok Sixes | 5 | 1 | 0.833 |
| Toronto Mounties | 5 | 1 | 0.833 |
| Madrid Toros | 6 | 3 | 0.667 |
| Guatemala Conquistadors | 2 | 1 | 0.667 |
| Manila Pacmen | 3 | 2 | 0.600 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 4 | 3 | 0.571 |
| Johannesburg Lions | 4 | 3 | 0.571 |
| Prague Checkmates | 2 | 3 | 0.400 |
| Amsterdam Hotstove | 2 | 5 | 0.286 |
| Brussels Chocolatiers | 2 | 6 | 0.250 |
| Seoul Crushers | 0 | 5 | 0.000 |
| Caracas Hitmen | 0 | 6 | 0.000 |
Now, for the Showcases, with the first being the Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Urban Core North. Kiwi began with 324 for UCN, showing that her season with the Modernistic Union was intentionally worse by design. The disgruntled captain has made it clear she will not return to the Union under any circumstances, much like Dusty did to the Eastside Sharks last year. Frisco Romero shot back with 460 for Guatemala. Another Union player, Chimpy, supplied UCN with 289. Chimpy is more of a pool player, but his struggles in both sports may finally end his time. At the same time, he's just crafty enough to find a way to stick around. Eustacio Zarraga hit only 90 for the Conquistadors. Lionel had a bad bounce, ending with a weak 39 for UCN, which won't do much to convince the Commerce Tradewinds to keep him. He's likely counting on a strong pool season at this point. Kenzo Hashimoto pulled 217 for Guatemala, giving them the lead again. Jennifer, of the Whitewater Shores, scored 223 for UCN, which resembled her regular season play. Flashes of postseason brilliance don't mean much when the Shores generally disappointed, and it looks like she'll be moving on. Curtis Caldwell slugged a Slurpee for the Conquistadors, pounding at 711 to solidify the SCL side's lead. Chicky Phil of the Westside Rockers stumbled with 51 for UCN, but his recent pool playing may save him from another trip to the draft. Azul Mora took the game lightly, hitting 46 for Guatemala as they have a stable lead. Midnight posted 537 for UCN, giving the Commerce Tradewinds something to think about (team management has said they plan to cut one player, but likely not two), but UCN still lost with 1463. Adrien Laurent's 192 gave the Conquistadors a victory with 1716 total.
In the second Showcase, the Prague Checkmates host the Coastal Region. Americus knocked 400 for Coastal, turning a few heads for the Oceanside Waves' player's performance. While already out in pool and in the bottom 25% for cricket likely means Americus will leave the Waves, this goes a long way to show Americus can contribute to a team somewhere. Pancho Barrios shot back with 338 for Prague. Panda had 231 for Coastal, but he's likely to remain with the Southern Monarchs as they want a familiar face in the organization to remain during the course of a likely two-year rebuild, being the least bad player from this lost season. Lucila Zavala had just 192 for the Checkmates, as they struggle to keep up. Roxy struggled with 32 for Coastal, and she's another player likely on the way out of Oceanside. Hyunjae Kwak's 129 made it a very close game for Prague as both teams reach their less-prominent players. Stripes popped 308 for Coastal, shaking things up. The Viewpoint Sound Meteors original is as borderline as they come, so getting a deep run in the pool tournament could very well make up for a tenacious but lackluster cricket effort this season. The Meteors like Stripes in her fourth-hitter role, as her aggressive style suits them well in close home games. Corentin Aerts lined 393 for the Checkmates, putting them ahead. Shawn had a meager 28 for Coastal, likely confirming what a weak cricket and embarrassing pool collapse already indicated. This is a case of the captain going down with the ship, as the Southern Monarchs will likely move on from their longtime face of the franchise. Darryl Estrada grabbed 187 for Prague, extending their lead slightly. Lydia, another Meteors, finished with 455 to put Coastal at 1454 total, forcing a move by the Checkmates. Lydia will be finishing deep in the pool standings, and her squandering of many early season games that Mr. Snowman started off well will likely mean this performance will entice another team more than her current one. Rayan Carranza's 57 left the Checkmates at 1296, giving Coastal the win. UPCL sides are 4-2 so far in Showcase games.
Cricket returns either Sunday or Tuesday, while Pool will go as planned this afternoon and evening.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 3
We're back for another partial day of pool, beginning in...
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sleepy B. v. Fluffina. The first set of the day is Survival as the league attempts to come back from a brutal day yesterday. Archtown's Sleepy B. held her own early on, just long enough for Maplewood's Fluffina to fade away in the first rack of game 1 for a 1-0 series lead as accuracy issues persist. Game 2 went two racks, but the theme was the same, with the Arrows' Sleepy B. holding even early until the Lumberjacks' Fluffina faded, and then Sleepy B. had to overcome a late swoon to force Fluffina out and take a 2-0 lead. Sleepy B. lacked her usual strong start in game 3, as Fluffina led through one rack, but Sleepy B. did her best in rack two, holding onto her last life and playing defense late as Fluffina lost control of the game, eventually getting offed at the end as Sleepy B. moved to 3-0 in the series. Sleepy B. went full dominance in game 4, ending with an extra life as Fluffina had struggles with getting clean shots while Sleepy B. had control with her side pocket shooting. Fluffina took game 5 in the second rack, rebounding from a rough start and having just enough to outlast a ferocious comeback from Sleepy B. Sleepy B. still won the series 4-1, and her #12 ranked Survival bid will host Patches of the Boston Swifts at this venue in the fourth round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Mr. Snowman. Next up, we head a little east for Rotation. Central's Dustin pounded out a gritty win, coming back from four down to go ahead in game 1, only for Viewpoint Sound's Mr. Snowman to pull ahead again before Dustin of the Warriors tied it and won after the Meteors' Mr. Snowman rattled the 15 out at the top left. Dustin's 8-7 victory put him up 1-0 in the series. Mr. Snowman's three fouls in four turns in game 2 meant Dustin had easy pickings in gathering up an 8-1 win to move to 2-0 for the series. Mr. Snowman, amidst more fouls in game 3, pulled off an amazing double-pot, completing a 4-7-9 combination along the right rail to the top right from distance, with the cue picking up the 13 in the top left on the resulting caroms. Beyond the highlight, Dustin had control, staking out a large lead early and playing both striking offense and smothering defense to hold off the accident-prone Meteor, as Dustin claimed the game 8-4. Dustin showed off some resilience in game 4, going down five balls only to tie it with a five-ball run highlighted by a long kick off the top rail to take the 7 in the bottom right and a glancing shot with the 8 caroming off the 9 gently to the top left. Dustin then hunkered down defensively, lying in wait before striking for the lead and capitalizing on Mr. Snowman's failed contact on the 13 for an 8-5 win and 4-0 series lead. Dustin again dominated all facets of game 5, building a strong lead early, pacing himself in the middle, and finishing with a wicked double pot with the 7 in the bottom left and the 10 taking a bump from the 11 to fall in the top left for the 8-0 shutout victory. Dustin, ranked #105 in Rotation, will face a taller task as he travels to GE Stadium Events Center in Southridge to oppose Debby Ryan in the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Chicky Phil. We're back to the last Survival series for the day, played in the southwest to start the afternoon slate after two morning series. Westside's Chicky Phil came out shooting sharply in game 1, while Lighton's Spirit was in trouble from the start after scratching on the break, allowing the Rockers' Chicky Phil to take a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit answered with a much more confident game 2, while Chicky Phil apparently lost his shooting rhythm, allowing the series to go to a tie at 1. Spirit shot herself in the paw in game 3, failing to convert the extra ball to start rack two, which allowed Chicky Phil to dictate the terms and eventually win the game for a 2-1 lead. Chicky Phil went for a strategic miss in game 4 at the start of the second rack, and it worked as Spirit couldn't get a clean angle on the rack and ended up failing to pot anything, allowing Chicky Phil the 3-1 lead. Spirit played a strong game in game 5, manipulating position effectively to drive Chicky Phil down, but he rebounded in the second rack, only to be subjected to craftiness that made quick work of him in rack three. Chicky Phil did win the series 3-2, advancing to the fourth round with his #67 ranked Survival campaign.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Precious. Back north, we have 10-ball with a visiting player whose career is on the line a bit. After minor chasing of the 10 in game 1, Central's Noelle left it just outside the bottom left to give Pronger's Precious the tap-in for victory and a 1-0 lead. The Tridents' Precious doubled her lead with a four-ball run-out to go to 2-0, despite a second straight iffy break, which tends to be a problem with 10-ball. The Warriors' Noelle got on the board with a game 3 win, weathering a four-ball run by Precious with strong defense late that set up the final two shots conveniently. Precious made a great decision in game 4, as Noelle illegally potted the 1 in an uncalled pocket, with a 2-10 combination somewhat lined up. Precious elected to take possession, and she converted the combination to the bottom left to clinch the series at 3-1. Precious got lucky to win game 5, as she illegally potted the 10 after nearly converting the called 3-10 combination to the top left, but Noelle couldn't extend her late three-ball run, and Precious mopped up the 10 to win the series 4-1. Ranked #126, Precious takes her 10-ball tour on the road again to Victoria for a fourth round meeting with Tori at Lay's Field Events Center.
Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Kayla. Back along the coast, there's a quick spot of 7-ball in play. Todavía's Easter got off to a modest start, but roared to a 1-0 series lead with a five-ball run-out showing off her positioning abilities. Queens' Kayla shot back in game 2, watching the Stills' Easter do much of the work on a three-ball run, only to set up a 3-7 combination at the top right that the Flames' Kayla converted easily to tie the series at 1. Kayla pulled ahead to a 2-1 series lead, running the table on a seven-shot game with excellent accuracy above all. If you thought that was good, Kayla ran the table again in game 4, clinching the series at 3-1 with even more accuracy and a double-pot on the break to do it in six shots. Easter has not had a shot since game 2, and she was unable to do anything but watch as Kayla took her straight off the bracket with a dominant effort. Easter had to make up for lost time in game 5, mitigating the series damage by winning on a three-ball run-out that included a hard carom off the 3 to sink the 5 in the bottom left. The absolutely thrilling series ended 3-2 for Kayla (which doesn't tell the whole story, but think how close it could have been), and her #92 ranked 7-ball bid will play on into the fourth round as a new rivalry is born.
Ebay Center, Queens: Max v. Debby Ryan. Moving east, another series of 10-ball looms. Queens' Max got off to a good start, despite a scratch on the break. After Southridge's Debby failed to get on the 2, Max sent a mini-masse shot that sank the 2, setting up the 3, and he positioned himself for a 4-10 combination, which also went for a three-ball run-out and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Max had a five-ball run in game 2, which left Debby of the Defenders a little stunned, causing her to hook her attempt on the 8, leaving it in line for Max to convert an 8-10 combination to make it 2-0 in the series. Debby shot back in game 3, going on a five-ball run-out to the surprise of everyone, using strong accuracy to pull herself back into the 2-1 series. Max took control of game 4 late, running out the final four balls to stave off a serious threat to his series, clinching at 3-1 in the process. Max again used a four-ball run-out in another slightly close game 5, winning the series 4-1. Max is ranked #4 in 10-ball, and for good reason and another win he will host his fourth round series.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Chimpy v. Twinkie III. The crafty veteran hosts the latest player (and only second this season) to win a full-rack game (all 15 balls, sinking the middle one) from the break. The enigmatic Chimpy of Modernistic was up to his usual mind games in game 1, playing weak early before unleashing a four-ball run and a series of defensive positioning shots to frustrate Whitewater's Twinkie III until the Union's Chimpy got the shot he wanted to take a 1-0 lead. Twinkie III showed no fear, as the Shores star bounced back in game 2, capitalizing on Chimpy's missed contact attempt on his last ball to position herself for a series-tying three-ball run-out. Chimpy received a wild card ball on Twinkie III's game 3 break, and then showed her the power that has, playing defensive to Twinkie III's last pocket before intentionally missing on a shot that left the cue in an unfavorable position. Twinkie III failed contact, and Chimpy used his ball-in-hand to make his 13, the non-defensive ball, in the bottom side, before converting the defending 15 to the top right after it lined up from the miss earlier. This is textbook shot planning, and put Chimpy up 2-1 in brilliant fashion. Twinkie III again bounced back, tying the series in game 4 with excellent accuracy, making the shots she needed to in two turns to prevent the patient Chimpy from doing his usual style of setting up first. Twinkie III took the series in exciting fashion, reminding Union fans why Chimpy is so frustrating. With two wild card balls and three options for his final shot, Chimpy failed to sink it even though he could see it, and he left the cue in line for Twinkie III to take her final ball in the proper pocket, giving her a 3-2 series win and leaving the home fans stunned. Ranked #77, Twinkie III appears to be picking up steam as she heads into the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Allison. The silver cue draws in for the red cue in 15-ball, as the recently penalized Jake of Royal returns to the table. Royal's Jake kept his well-known (at least it is now) temper in check, playing a patient but well-paced game that saw him mop up a miss on the 15 by Tysini's Allison for a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Jake went up 2-0 in the series after some jockeying around the 9. After that, Jake made the 9 and got the 10 to carom off the 14 to bump the 15 into the top left for the win. Game 3 was like game 1 for Jake, as a late miss on the 15 by the Hummingbirds' Allison ended a tight game with Jake tapping in, this time claiming the series at 3-0 with the clean-up job. Each player had a couple of closes brushes with the 15 in game 4, but it lasted to be the final ball anyway, and Jake again made the tap-in on the final two balls after Allison missed contact to move to 4-0 in the series. Allison avoided the sweep in game 5, using two strong cut shots at the end of the game to make it a 4-1 series win for the #61 ranked Jake, who will advance into the fourth round with his performance here.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Snuggle. Going coastal again, we begin a doubleheader of 9-ball that will be completed today, no matter what in regards to time. The silver cue subs in for blue this time. Game 1 was fairly clean until the 9, where a little chasing left Oceanside's Snuggle set to clean up a tap-in after Southern's Shannon couldn't corral it on her second try. The Waves' Snuggle took a 2-0 series lead with an improbable yet successful conversion of a 6-9 combination at a weird angle to the top left, stunning the Monarchs' Shannon and the home crowd. Snuggle went for a more accurate approach in game 3, forgoing any positioning. It worked, as he won with the final two shots to clinch the series at 3-0. After a scratch by Shannon in game 4, Snuggle had a tight spot to sneak the 1 into the bottom left, setting up for an awkward but again successful combination, going 3-9 to the top left to move to 4-0 in the series. Snuggle swept the series 5-0, as game 5 went a little sloppy even at the end with the 9 left short at the bottom left for Snuggle to tap in. Snuggle is ranked #44 in 9-ball and will move along to the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Sydnee v. Twinkie I. The final series of the afternoon is the second half of the doubleheader in 9-ball from the southeast. Lighton's Twinkie I took a very back-and-forth game of Royal's Sydnee in game 1, polishing off the 9 after Sydnee missed on the 8 earlier. Game 2 was another evenly matched effort, but Sydnee of the Crowns emerged this time, taking the final two balls out from under the Prestige's Twinkie I, as neither displayed a ton of accuracy. Twinkie I went up 2-1 in the series after Sydnee made illegal contact with the 9 while attempting to kick the 8 to the top left, giving Twinkie I ball-in-hand, where her positioning took over to pull her ahead. Sydnee tied it again with a game 4 win, overcoming a lucky carom off the 7 to the 8 in the top side by Twinkie I late in the game. Twinkie I couldn't convert the 9, leaving it easy for Sydnee to use as the equalizer. Twinkie I looked in control late, making a 5 and 8 double-pot with a hard carom off the sinking 5, but a scratch while sinking the 6 sunk her game. Sydnee ran on the 7, getting lined up to make the 9 as well, winning the series 3-2. Sydnee, ranked #51 in 9-ball, is through to the fourth round in her farewell campaign.
We should be back to normal tomorrow for the gameplay numbers. That's 50 today in about four hours, so I really kicked up my speed for today. Hopefully it will translate. Cricket tomorrow morning too!
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sleepy B. v. Fluffina. The first set of the day is Survival as the league attempts to come back from a brutal day yesterday. Archtown's Sleepy B. held her own early on, just long enough for Maplewood's Fluffina to fade away in the first rack of game 1 for a 1-0 series lead as accuracy issues persist. Game 2 went two racks, but the theme was the same, with the Arrows' Sleepy B. holding even early until the Lumberjacks' Fluffina faded, and then Sleepy B. had to overcome a late swoon to force Fluffina out and take a 2-0 lead. Sleepy B. lacked her usual strong start in game 3, as Fluffina led through one rack, but Sleepy B. did her best in rack two, holding onto her last life and playing defense late as Fluffina lost control of the game, eventually getting offed at the end as Sleepy B. moved to 3-0 in the series. Sleepy B. went full dominance in game 4, ending with an extra life as Fluffina had struggles with getting clean shots while Sleepy B. had control with her side pocket shooting. Fluffina took game 5 in the second rack, rebounding from a rough start and having just enough to outlast a ferocious comeback from Sleepy B. Sleepy B. still won the series 4-1, and her #12 ranked Survival bid will host Patches of the Boston Swifts at this venue in the fourth round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Mr. Snowman. Next up, we head a little east for Rotation. Central's Dustin pounded out a gritty win, coming back from four down to go ahead in game 1, only for Viewpoint Sound's Mr. Snowman to pull ahead again before Dustin of the Warriors tied it and won after the Meteors' Mr. Snowman rattled the 15 out at the top left. Dustin's 8-7 victory put him up 1-0 in the series. Mr. Snowman's three fouls in four turns in game 2 meant Dustin had easy pickings in gathering up an 8-1 win to move to 2-0 for the series. Mr. Snowman, amidst more fouls in game 3, pulled off an amazing double-pot, completing a 4-7-9 combination along the right rail to the top right from distance, with the cue picking up the 13 in the top left on the resulting caroms. Beyond the highlight, Dustin had control, staking out a large lead early and playing both striking offense and smothering defense to hold off the accident-prone Meteor, as Dustin claimed the game 8-4. Dustin showed off some resilience in game 4, going down five balls only to tie it with a five-ball run highlighted by a long kick off the top rail to take the 7 in the bottom right and a glancing shot with the 8 caroming off the 9 gently to the top left. Dustin then hunkered down defensively, lying in wait before striking for the lead and capitalizing on Mr. Snowman's failed contact on the 13 for an 8-5 win and 4-0 series lead. Dustin again dominated all facets of game 5, building a strong lead early, pacing himself in the middle, and finishing with a wicked double pot with the 7 in the bottom left and the 10 taking a bump from the 11 to fall in the top left for the 8-0 shutout victory. Dustin, ranked #105 in Rotation, will face a taller task as he travels to GE Stadium Events Center in Southridge to oppose Debby Ryan in the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Chicky Phil. We're back to the last Survival series for the day, played in the southwest to start the afternoon slate after two morning series. Westside's Chicky Phil came out shooting sharply in game 1, while Lighton's Spirit was in trouble from the start after scratching on the break, allowing the Rockers' Chicky Phil to take a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit answered with a much more confident game 2, while Chicky Phil apparently lost his shooting rhythm, allowing the series to go to a tie at 1. Spirit shot herself in the paw in game 3, failing to convert the extra ball to start rack two, which allowed Chicky Phil to dictate the terms and eventually win the game for a 2-1 lead. Chicky Phil went for a strategic miss in game 4 at the start of the second rack, and it worked as Spirit couldn't get a clean angle on the rack and ended up failing to pot anything, allowing Chicky Phil the 3-1 lead. Spirit played a strong game in game 5, manipulating position effectively to drive Chicky Phil down, but he rebounded in the second rack, only to be subjected to craftiness that made quick work of him in rack three. Chicky Phil did win the series 3-2, advancing to the fourth round with his #67 ranked Survival campaign.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Precious. Back north, we have 10-ball with a visiting player whose career is on the line a bit. After minor chasing of the 10 in game 1, Central's Noelle left it just outside the bottom left to give Pronger's Precious the tap-in for victory and a 1-0 lead. The Tridents' Precious doubled her lead with a four-ball run-out to go to 2-0, despite a second straight iffy break, which tends to be a problem with 10-ball. The Warriors' Noelle got on the board with a game 3 win, weathering a four-ball run by Precious with strong defense late that set up the final two shots conveniently. Precious made a great decision in game 4, as Noelle illegally potted the 1 in an uncalled pocket, with a 2-10 combination somewhat lined up. Precious elected to take possession, and she converted the combination to the bottom left to clinch the series at 3-1. Precious got lucky to win game 5, as she illegally potted the 10 after nearly converting the called 3-10 combination to the top left, but Noelle couldn't extend her late three-ball run, and Precious mopped up the 10 to win the series 4-1. Ranked #126, Precious takes her 10-ball tour on the road again to Victoria for a fourth round meeting with Tori at Lay's Field Events Center.
Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Kayla. Back along the coast, there's a quick spot of 7-ball in play. Todavía's Easter got off to a modest start, but roared to a 1-0 series lead with a five-ball run-out showing off her positioning abilities. Queens' Kayla shot back in game 2, watching the Stills' Easter do much of the work on a three-ball run, only to set up a 3-7 combination at the top right that the Flames' Kayla converted easily to tie the series at 1. Kayla pulled ahead to a 2-1 series lead, running the table on a seven-shot game with excellent accuracy above all. If you thought that was good, Kayla ran the table again in game 4, clinching the series at 3-1 with even more accuracy and a double-pot on the break to do it in six shots. Easter has not had a shot since game 2, and she was unable to do anything but watch as Kayla took her straight off the bracket with a dominant effort. Easter had to make up for lost time in game 5, mitigating the series damage by winning on a three-ball run-out that included a hard carom off the 3 to sink the 5 in the bottom left. The absolutely thrilling series ended 3-2 for Kayla (which doesn't tell the whole story, but think how close it could have been), and her #92 ranked 7-ball bid will play on into the fourth round as a new rivalry is born.
Ebay Center, Queens: Max v. Debby Ryan. Moving east, another series of 10-ball looms. Queens' Max got off to a good start, despite a scratch on the break. After Southridge's Debby failed to get on the 2, Max sent a mini-masse shot that sank the 2, setting up the 3, and he positioned himself for a 4-10 combination, which also went for a three-ball run-out and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Max had a five-ball run in game 2, which left Debby of the Defenders a little stunned, causing her to hook her attempt on the 8, leaving it in line for Max to convert an 8-10 combination to make it 2-0 in the series. Debby shot back in game 3, going on a five-ball run-out to the surprise of everyone, using strong accuracy to pull herself back into the 2-1 series. Max took control of game 4 late, running out the final four balls to stave off a serious threat to his series, clinching at 3-1 in the process. Max again used a four-ball run-out in another slightly close game 5, winning the series 4-1. Max is ranked #4 in 10-ball, and for good reason and another win he will host his fourth round series.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Chimpy v. Twinkie III. The crafty veteran hosts the latest player (and only second this season) to win a full-rack game (all 15 balls, sinking the middle one) from the break. The enigmatic Chimpy of Modernistic was up to his usual mind games in game 1, playing weak early before unleashing a four-ball run and a series of defensive positioning shots to frustrate Whitewater's Twinkie III until the Union's Chimpy got the shot he wanted to take a 1-0 lead. Twinkie III showed no fear, as the Shores star bounced back in game 2, capitalizing on Chimpy's missed contact attempt on his last ball to position herself for a series-tying three-ball run-out. Chimpy received a wild card ball on Twinkie III's game 3 break, and then showed her the power that has, playing defensive to Twinkie III's last pocket before intentionally missing on a shot that left the cue in an unfavorable position. Twinkie III failed contact, and Chimpy used his ball-in-hand to make his 13, the non-defensive ball, in the bottom side, before converting the defending 15 to the top right after it lined up from the miss earlier. This is textbook shot planning, and put Chimpy up 2-1 in brilliant fashion. Twinkie III again bounced back, tying the series in game 4 with excellent accuracy, making the shots she needed to in two turns to prevent the patient Chimpy from doing his usual style of setting up first. Twinkie III took the series in exciting fashion, reminding Union fans why Chimpy is so frustrating. With two wild card balls and three options for his final shot, Chimpy failed to sink it even though he could see it, and he left the cue in line for Twinkie III to take her final ball in the proper pocket, giving her a 3-2 series win and leaving the home fans stunned. Ranked #77, Twinkie III appears to be picking up steam as she heads into the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Allison. The silver cue draws in for the red cue in 15-ball, as the recently penalized Jake of Royal returns to the table. Royal's Jake kept his well-known (at least it is now) temper in check, playing a patient but well-paced game that saw him mop up a miss on the 15 by Tysini's Allison for a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Jake went up 2-0 in the series after some jockeying around the 9. After that, Jake made the 9 and got the 10 to carom off the 14 to bump the 15 into the top left for the win. Game 3 was like game 1 for Jake, as a late miss on the 15 by the Hummingbirds' Allison ended a tight game with Jake tapping in, this time claiming the series at 3-0 with the clean-up job. Each player had a couple of closes brushes with the 15 in game 4, but it lasted to be the final ball anyway, and Jake again made the tap-in on the final two balls after Allison missed contact to move to 4-0 in the series. Allison avoided the sweep in game 5, using two strong cut shots at the end of the game to make it a 4-1 series win for the #61 ranked Jake, who will advance into the fourth round with his performance here.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Snuggle. Going coastal again, we begin a doubleheader of 9-ball that will be completed today, no matter what in regards to time. The silver cue subs in for blue this time. Game 1 was fairly clean until the 9, where a little chasing left Oceanside's Snuggle set to clean up a tap-in after Southern's Shannon couldn't corral it on her second try. The Waves' Snuggle took a 2-0 series lead with an improbable yet successful conversion of a 6-9 combination at a weird angle to the top left, stunning the Monarchs' Shannon and the home crowd. Snuggle went for a more accurate approach in game 3, forgoing any positioning. It worked, as he won with the final two shots to clinch the series at 3-0. After a scratch by Shannon in game 4, Snuggle had a tight spot to sneak the 1 into the bottom left, setting up for an awkward but again successful combination, going 3-9 to the top left to move to 4-0 in the series. Snuggle swept the series 5-0, as game 5 went a little sloppy even at the end with the 9 left short at the bottom left for Snuggle to tap in. Snuggle is ranked #44 in 9-ball and will move along to the fourth round.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Sydnee v. Twinkie I. The final series of the afternoon is the second half of the doubleheader in 9-ball from the southeast. Lighton's Twinkie I took a very back-and-forth game of Royal's Sydnee in game 1, polishing off the 9 after Sydnee missed on the 8 earlier. Game 2 was another evenly matched effort, but Sydnee of the Crowns emerged this time, taking the final two balls out from under the Prestige's Twinkie I, as neither displayed a ton of accuracy. Twinkie I went up 2-1 in the series after Sydnee made illegal contact with the 9 while attempting to kick the 8 to the top left, giving Twinkie I ball-in-hand, where her positioning took over to pull her ahead. Sydnee tied it again with a game 4 win, overcoming a lucky carom off the 7 to the 8 in the top side by Twinkie I late in the game. Twinkie I couldn't convert the 9, leaving it easy for Sydnee to use as the equalizer. Twinkie I looked in control late, making a 5 and 8 double-pot with a hard carom off the sinking 5, but a scratch while sinking the 6 sunk her game. Sydnee ran on the 7, getting lined up to make the 9 as well, winning the series 3-2. Sydnee, ranked #51 in 9-ball, is through to the fourth round in her farewell campaign.
We should be back to normal tomorrow for the gameplay numbers. That's 50 today in about four hours, so I really kicked up my speed for today. Hopefully it will translate. Cricket tomorrow morning too!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 2
Another full day of pool today, beginning with a series I just didn't have the energy for last night from...
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Patches v. Marsell. The first series of the day is Survival. Boston's Patches did not waver in the first two racks of game 1, and this came in very handy against the determined Marsell of Tysini, who nearly made it through the third rack before falling as Patches of the Swifts started to fade fast, just holding on for a 1-0 lead. In game 2, the Hummingbirds' Marsell had a strong start, but Patches lay in wait until late in the first rack, striking for the extra life as the shots got tough, which ended up as enough to go up 2-0 in the series when Marsell missed the next shot. Marsell struck back with a game 3 win, getting an extra life when he needed it and then playing patiently until Patches fell off with a missed shot to move to 2-1 in the series. Patches clinched the series in game 4, getting to a slow start but gaining traction mid-game as Marsell got too comfortable. For the final move, Patches pinned the cue in the corner, sealing Marsell's fate with no target in plain sight. Patches held on just long enough in the casually-conducted game 5 to win again, taking the series 4-1. Ranked #58, Patches will continue her Survival campaign into the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Jake. To the west now, there's a series of 10-ball on the schedule. Royal's Jake struck first in game 1, weathering a strong start by Lighton's Acorn with a four-ball run-out to get to 1-0 early in the road series. The Prestige's Acorn tied it at 1 in the series with a slower-paced win in game 2, ending with a not-very-clean 8-10 combination that did somehow fall but did not go fully as planned. Game 3 was completely sloppy, an absolute disaster in shooting for both players, especially as they chased the 10 around. Acorn, a usually calm-tempered player, erupted for the second time in the last week, eventually stowing the 10 to take a 2-1 lead over the Crowns' Jake, but it was not pretty. Acorn also took a sloppy game 4, clinching the series at 3-1. Jake stole away a game in game 5, another sloppy affair filled with tirades by both players again. Acorn won the series 3-2, and will take his #37 ranked 10-ball bid to the fourth round, but both Acorn and Jake will be facing discipline for their roles in the fracas that did not give the league a good look.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Oreo v. Graham. In the same region, we have a series of Rotation. Swordpoint's Oreo took full control of game 1 even though Eastside's Graham scored the first two balls, as the Blades' Oreo bounced back and made the next eight balls in a handful of turns for an 8-2 victory to go up 1-0 in the series. The Blades' Oreo remained strong in game 2, using a three-ball run-out to win the game 8-3 and go up 2-0 in the series. Graham ran out the final six balls he needed in game 3, getting on the board with an 8-2 win capped by a bottom rail kick to pot the 8 in the top left. Graham tied the series with another convincing effort, roaring to a big lead with strong defense, and eventually corralling the final balls to win 8-2 again. Despite all the blowouts in the first four games, game 5 played a lot closer for the players, with Oreo coming out ahead on a very even-keeled 8-6 win. Oreo, ranked #44 for Rotation, will play in the fourth round.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Twinkie III v. Leonette. Up north a tad, we've got 8-ball on tap. Whitewater's Twinkie III tried to play defense as long as she could after a cold start in game 1, but Pacific's Leonette eventually broke through for a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Twinkie III retied the series at 1 with a slightly less impressive game 2, but more beneficial as she was able to work around with patient shooting to get the win. Twinkie III used a three-ball run-out in game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead with another frustrating win. The flared tempers caused the UPCL to issue a suspension of play for the remainder of the afternoon session, with game 4 resuming in the evening. Coming back from the suspension of play, Twinkie III didn't even give the Volcanoes' Leonette a chance at the series, potting the 8 on a bouncing break to the top left for a win and 3-1 series lead. Twinkie III secured the series at 4-1, coming from behind through scratches to top Leonette, who couldn't control a kick to knock the 8 at the jaws of the bottom side, allowing Twinkie III to set up for it herself. Twinkie III, ranked #10 in 8-ball, will participate in the fourth round.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Debby Ryan v. J. Garcia. Moving along, two Defenders teammates go against each other for Rotation. Garcia managed to win a messy game 1, rallying back after Debby had gained the lead around midway through the game. Garcia won the game 8-7 in comeback fashion. Debby answered with a slightly cleaner game 2 triumph, winning 8-6 with a little more accuracy and confidence shown in the shooting technique. Garcia pulled back to go up 2-1 in the series, using a three-ball run-out in game 3 to win 8-7 again for the series lead. Debby made a thrilling finish, using a five-ball run-out to tie the series again in game 4. Garcia did have a double-pot to go up by three balls, but Debby matched it with a nearly identical one (both had balls to the top left and top side pockets) to start her run-out and eventually take the game. Debby had a four-ball run-out in game 5, making the score 8-5 out of the blue to take the series 3-2. Debby, ranked #9 in Rotation, proved to be the better Defender in a calm series, and will play in the fourth round as she continues her bid for Rookie of the Year.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Twinkie II. The red cue returns to action after being the root cause of the earlier dust-ups in the day, with 12-ball the style of choice. Harrison's Twinkie II dominated in game 1, using her wild card ball as a big advantage, and getting a little lucky with her choice to bank the 11 off the bottom rail to the top side on a shot that crossed the angular line of expected trajectory, or more simply, was at a bad angle. Golden's Strut had no success beyond the break in game 1. The Pilots' Strut was doing fine in game 2 until it came time for the right pockets, which were troublesome. The Specters' Twinkie II only needed one of them, and after strategic play on both sides, she got the inside angle on the top right, eventually causing Strut to pot the 6, her final ball, for her, taking a 2-0 lead. Strut continued to have problems in game 3, this time failing with positioning on his final ball, which caused him to lose after he had no choice but to remove defense, allowing Twinkie II to calmly take the game and clinch the series at 3-0. Twinkie II made the most of bad positioning late in game 4, using a three-ball run-out to overcome giving up a wild card ball on the break, and she moved to 4-0 with the win. Strut again couldn't quite get position in game 5, leaving his 9 short and missing contact to give up another win to Twinkie II, who buried the 1 on her third attempt from the ball-in-hand. Twinkie II won the series 5-0, and takes her #78 ranked 12-ball campaign into the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Stealth v. Princess. Ending the day that was cut short by dangerously ineffective shooting, we have 10-ball in the northeast. Tysini's Princess needed just two shots in game 1 to go up 1-0, using the 1 as her set-up for the 2-10 combination to the top left that won her the first game. During a six-ball run in game 2, Harrison's Stealth rattled off a 4-9 double-pot to the bottom left, and a 5-6 combination. The Specters' Stealth drove possession later as well, but left the 10 short for the Hummingbirds' Princess to tap in and go up 2-0 in the series on. Princess played casual in the first part of game 3, but took over with unearthly positioning to create a five-ball run-out and seal the series at 3-0 in the second half, stunning Stealth with the show of power. Stealth got on the board with a game 4 winning, coming after both players chased the 10 until Princess scratched, allowing Stealth the easy shot for a win to make it 3-1. Princess finished the series at 4-1, with a three-ball run-out sealing the final game of the night. Princess advances to the fourth round with her #83 ranked 10-ball bid, and continues to lead the way for the MVP Player's Cup award as well as the Ringer award for comeback player of the year.
As expected, the UPCL assessed penalties to Acorn and Jake following the fracas they each had a part in today. Acorn will be barred from participating for the Lighton Prestige should they qualify for the postseason (eligibility for the Solid Core club is still intact). Jake, with a lesser role in the situation, will have a penalty assessed to his team, the Royal Crowns, as their compensatory pick will be moved to the second round. This is not a huge penalty, as the results of the draft are entirely random and could end up being beneficial in the long run. Jake is eligible for postseason play. If the Crowns cut Jake, the penalty does not transfer to a new team. As for programming, I expect 35-50 games tomorrow to make up for the partially lost day today. I will have to figure out what's wrong with my shot, but it may just be the usual four-week plateau I get every summer.
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Patches v. Marsell. The first series of the day is Survival. Boston's Patches did not waver in the first two racks of game 1, and this came in very handy against the determined Marsell of Tysini, who nearly made it through the third rack before falling as Patches of the Swifts started to fade fast, just holding on for a 1-0 lead. In game 2, the Hummingbirds' Marsell had a strong start, but Patches lay in wait until late in the first rack, striking for the extra life as the shots got tough, which ended up as enough to go up 2-0 in the series when Marsell missed the next shot. Marsell struck back with a game 3 win, getting an extra life when he needed it and then playing patiently until Patches fell off with a missed shot to move to 2-1 in the series. Patches clinched the series in game 4, getting to a slow start but gaining traction mid-game as Marsell got too comfortable. For the final move, Patches pinned the cue in the corner, sealing Marsell's fate with no target in plain sight. Patches held on just long enough in the casually-conducted game 5 to win again, taking the series 4-1. Ranked #58, Patches will continue her Survival campaign into the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Jake. To the west now, there's a series of 10-ball on the schedule. Royal's Jake struck first in game 1, weathering a strong start by Lighton's Acorn with a four-ball run-out to get to 1-0 early in the road series. The Prestige's Acorn tied it at 1 in the series with a slower-paced win in game 2, ending with a not-very-clean 8-10 combination that did somehow fall but did not go fully as planned. Game 3 was completely sloppy, an absolute disaster in shooting for both players, especially as they chased the 10 around. Acorn, a usually calm-tempered player, erupted for the second time in the last week, eventually stowing the 10 to take a 2-1 lead over the Crowns' Jake, but it was not pretty. Acorn also took a sloppy game 4, clinching the series at 3-1. Jake stole away a game in game 5, another sloppy affair filled with tirades by both players again. Acorn won the series 3-2, and will take his #37 ranked 10-ball bid to the fourth round, but both Acorn and Jake will be facing discipline for their roles in the fracas that did not give the league a good look.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Oreo v. Graham. In the same region, we have a series of Rotation. Swordpoint's Oreo took full control of game 1 even though Eastside's Graham scored the first two balls, as the Blades' Oreo bounced back and made the next eight balls in a handful of turns for an 8-2 victory to go up 1-0 in the series. The Blades' Oreo remained strong in game 2, using a three-ball run-out to win the game 8-3 and go up 2-0 in the series. Graham ran out the final six balls he needed in game 3, getting on the board with an 8-2 win capped by a bottom rail kick to pot the 8 in the top left. Graham tied the series with another convincing effort, roaring to a big lead with strong defense, and eventually corralling the final balls to win 8-2 again. Despite all the blowouts in the first four games, game 5 played a lot closer for the players, with Oreo coming out ahead on a very even-keeled 8-6 win. Oreo, ranked #44 for Rotation, will play in the fourth round.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Twinkie III v. Leonette. Up north a tad, we've got 8-ball on tap. Whitewater's Twinkie III tried to play defense as long as she could after a cold start in game 1, but Pacific's Leonette eventually broke through for a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Twinkie III retied the series at 1 with a slightly less impressive game 2, but more beneficial as she was able to work around with patient shooting to get the win. Twinkie III used a three-ball run-out in game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead with another frustrating win. The flared tempers caused the UPCL to issue a suspension of play for the remainder of the afternoon session, with game 4 resuming in the evening. Coming back from the suspension of play, Twinkie III didn't even give the Volcanoes' Leonette a chance at the series, potting the 8 on a bouncing break to the top left for a win and 3-1 series lead. Twinkie III secured the series at 4-1, coming from behind through scratches to top Leonette, who couldn't control a kick to knock the 8 at the jaws of the bottom side, allowing Twinkie III to set up for it herself. Twinkie III, ranked #10 in 8-ball, will participate in the fourth round.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Debby Ryan v. J. Garcia. Moving along, two Defenders teammates go against each other for Rotation. Garcia managed to win a messy game 1, rallying back after Debby had gained the lead around midway through the game. Garcia won the game 8-7 in comeback fashion. Debby answered with a slightly cleaner game 2 triumph, winning 8-6 with a little more accuracy and confidence shown in the shooting technique. Garcia pulled back to go up 2-1 in the series, using a three-ball run-out in game 3 to win 8-7 again for the series lead. Debby made a thrilling finish, using a five-ball run-out to tie the series again in game 4. Garcia did have a double-pot to go up by three balls, but Debby matched it with a nearly identical one (both had balls to the top left and top side pockets) to start her run-out and eventually take the game. Debby had a four-ball run-out in game 5, making the score 8-5 out of the blue to take the series 3-2. Debby, ranked #9 in Rotation, proved to be the better Defender in a calm series, and will play in the fourth round as she continues her bid for Rookie of the Year.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Twinkie II. The red cue returns to action after being the root cause of the earlier dust-ups in the day, with 12-ball the style of choice. Harrison's Twinkie II dominated in game 1, using her wild card ball as a big advantage, and getting a little lucky with her choice to bank the 11 off the bottom rail to the top side on a shot that crossed the angular line of expected trajectory, or more simply, was at a bad angle. Golden's Strut had no success beyond the break in game 1. The Pilots' Strut was doing fine in game 2 until it came time for the right pockets, which were troublesome. The Specters' Twinkie II only needed one of them, and after strategic play on both sides, she got the inside angle on the top right, eventually causing Strut to pot the 6, her final ball, for her, taking a 2-0 lead. Strut continued to have problems in game 3, this time failing with positioning on his final ball, which caused him to lose after he had no choice but to remove defense, allowing Twinkie II to calmly take the game and clinch the series at 3-0. Twinkie II made the most of bad positioning late in game 4, using a three-ball run-out to overcome giving up a wild card ball on the break, and she moved to 4-0 with the win. Strut again couldn't quite get position in game 5, leaving his 9 short and missing contact to give up another win to Twinkie II, who buried the 1 on her third attempt from the ball-in-hand. Twinkie II won the series 5-0, and takes her #78 ranked 12-ball campaign into the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Stealth v. Princess. Ending the day that was cut short by dangerously ineffective shooting, we have 10-ball in the northeast. Tysini's Princess needed just two shots in game 1 to go up 1-0, using the 1 as her set-up for the 2-10 combination to the top left that won her the first game. During a six-ball run in game 2, Harrison's Stealth rattled off a 4-9 double-pot to the bottom left, and a 5-6 combination. The Specters' Stealth drove possession later as well, but left the 10 short for the Hummingbirds' Princess to tap in and go up 2-0 in the series on. Princess played casual in the first part of game 3, but took over with unearthly positioning to create a five-ball run-out and seal the series at 3-0 in the second half, stunning Stealth with the show of power. Stealth got on the board with a game 4 winning, coming after both players chased the 10 until Princess scratched, allowing Stealth the easy shot for a win to make it 3-1. Princess finished the series at 4-1, with a three-ball run-out sealing the final game of the night. Princess advances to the fourth round with her #83 ranked 10-ball bid, and continues to lead the way for the MVP Player's Cup award as well as the Ringer award for comeback player of the year.
As expected, the UPCL assessed penalties to Acorn and Jake following the fracas they each had a part in today. Acorn will be barred from participating for the Lighton Prestige should they qualify for the postseason (eligibility for the Solid Core club is still intact). Jake, with a lesser role in the situation, will have a penalty assessed to his team, the Royal Crowns, as their compensatory pick will be moved to the second round. This is not a huge penalty, as the results of the draft are entirely random and could end up being beneficial in the long run. Jake is eligible for postseason play. If the Crowns cut Jake, the penalty does not transfer to a new team. As for programming, I expect 35-50 games tomorrow to make up for the partially lost day today. I will have to figure out what's wrong with my shot, but it may just be the usual four-week plateau I get every summer.
Summer Cricket League: Week 3 Part 2
Five more games for the middle segment of the league week 3. We begin with...
The Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Brussels Chocolatiers. Patrido Salazar led off with 297 for Brussels, a respectable start. Frisco Romero launched 480 for Guatemala to take the lead. Florent Claes slapped 326 for the Chocolatiers, keeping them in the game. Eustacio Zarraga fired back with 302 for the Conquistadors. Dobromil Zeman faltered with 30 points for Brussels, leaving them in trouble. Kenzo Hashimoto ripped 451 for Guatemala, strengthening their lead at the midway point of the game. Rodas Cazares slipped with 92 points for the Chocolatiers, as the visiting team watches the game slip away. Curtis Caldwell slugged 400 for the Conquistadors, pouring a little more onto the lead. Eric Zaragoza got jammed at 64 for Brussels, continuing their struggles. Azul "Blue Lightning" Mora blasted 777 for Guatemala, essentially putting the game out of reach. Jaturun Choen hit 424 for the Chocolatiers, as they lost with 1233. Playing against his home country's team, Adrien Laurent scored 458 for the Conquistadors, icing a win with 2868 points. Guatemala moved to 2-1, while Brussels dropped to 1-5.
Down in South Africa, the Johannesburg Lions welcome the road-weary Brussels Chocolatiers, who will likely suffer from fatigue as part of the back-to-back games. Patrido Salazar sliced 313 for Brussels. Wiebe Becker had only 90 points for Johannesburg, starting them at a deficit. Florent Claes got stopped at 103 for the Chocolatiers. Normando Alonso shot back with 376 for the Lions, pulling them to a slight lead. Dobromil Zeman continued to flounder, with only 51 for Brussels. Ken Howard did little to gain separation for Johannesburg, posting just 80 points. Rodas Cazares grabbed 160 for the Chocolatiers, doing slightly better than recent form. Lucio Adame cranked out 705 for the Lions, giving them a comfortable lead. Eric Zaragoza hit a meager 76 for Brussels, putting them on pace to lose again. Oshri Aharonov chipped 152 for Johannesburg, holding the lead steady. Jaturun Choen's 75 points put the Chocolatiers at 778 as their weak final, taking another, more brutal loss. Pieter Hendrickx posted a triumphant 783 against his hometown team for the Lions, putting the hosts at 2186 in the win. Johannesburg is now 4-3 while Brussels continues to sink to 1-6.
Now in Europe, the Madrid Toros host the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke's early success for Amsterdam seems distant now, as he posted only 36 points. Spencer Howard countered with 369 for Madrid. Yaozu Miao produced 291 for the Hotstove, getting them a little closer. Pepillo Gamboa knocked 232 for the Toros. Carlos Barajas crushed 854 to put Amsterdam firmly in charge of the game. Lennert Verheyen left Madrid trailing after scoring 160 points. Veto Casas slipped up with a measly 36 for the Hotstove. Thabo Chahine pulled the Toros closer with 264, including some impressive bat work for the long-retired pitcher. Andrew Reynolds continued to do more harm than help for Amsterdam, finishing this game with 25 points in another lousy effort. Guillem Gamboa slapped 359 for Madrid, giving them a narrow but far from secure lead. Manolito Avalos broke his slump, scoring 338 to put the Hotstove at 1580, forcing a move from the hosts. Martin Badillo poked 232 for the Toros, doing just enough for them to win with 1616. Madrid goes to 5-3, while Amsterdam drops to 2-5.
Out in the Philippines, the Manila Pacmen bring in the Madrid Toros for the second half of the visitors' doubleheader. In their first meeting, the Pacmen got the win. Spencer Howard, looking for Madrid to get revenge, showed no signs of wear in hitting 507. Haejun Ki couldn't keep up for Manila, posting 256. Pepillo Gamboa sliced 411 for the Toros. Porfirio Cazares left the Pacmen even farther behind after a meager 21-point showing. Lennert Verheyen popped 353 to keep Madrid firmly in control. His brother, Sander Verheyen, scored 313 for Manila, not quite matching the efforts of his older sibling. Thabo Chahine batted 227 for the Toros as their offense slowly declines throughout the game. Gerben Bovelt swatted 699 for the Pacmen, including a deft touch on a loose ball to redirect it to the back 4 zone when it was previously on course for the stumps. Guillem Gamboa shot back with 409 for Madrid, reestablishing their lead. Dries Renard kept Manila in range with 301, his best effort of the season. The Toros ended with perfect vision after Martin Badillo hit 113, leaving them at 2020. Richard Miller didn't have it in him for the Pacmen, hitting a measly 49 for 1639 total for the vanquished hosts. Madrid got revenge, going to 6-3 during their current hot streak, while Manila drops to a still-strong 3-2.
Finally, the Melbourne Renegades host the Prague Checkmates, a team they've already defeated once. Pancho Barrios began with 177 for Prague, the pitcher-heavy squad. Charlie Thompson kept Melbourne level with 185 to start. Lucila Zavala put together 432 for the Checkmates, establishing a reasonable lead. Theodore White managed only 136 for the Renegades. Hyunjae Kwak posted 240 for Prague. Sancho Ramos couldn't get the ball settled for Melbourne, taking a weak 51. The third musketeer, Corentin Aerts, slapped 328 for the Checkmates against the other two musketeers' team. Rana Naqvi managed 162 for the Renegades, who just don't appear to have it in this game. Darryl Estrada grabbed 355 for Prague ahead of Melbourne's dynamic duo. Sikke Eichel batted just 115 for Melbourne, almost guaranteeing a loss. Rayan Carranza supplied 249 for the Checkmates, leaving them with a final of 1781. Stanley Watts scored 351 for the Renegades, but they lost with 1000 even. Prague is up to 2-2 while Melbourne falls to 4-3.
That's all for today, with the next session on Thursday with three in the league and two Showcase games. Pool later tonight in a full session of about 60-70 or so games, and then a short pool session tomorrow, probably with 30-50 games.
The Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Brussels Chocolatiers. Patrido Salazar led off with 297 for Brussels, a respectable start. Frisco Romero launched 480 for Guatemala to take the lead. Florent Claes slapped 326 for the Chocolatiers, keeping them in the game. Eustacio Zarraga fired back with 302 for the Conquistadors. Dobromil Zeman faltered with 30 points for Brussels, leaving them in trouble. Kenzo Hashimoto ripped 451 for Guatemala, strengthening their lead at the midway point of the game. Rodas Cazares slipped with 92 points for the Chocolatiers, as the visiting team watches the game slip away. Curtis Caldwell slugged 400 for the Conquistadors, pouring a little more onto the lead. Eric Zaragoza got jammed at 64 for Brussels, continuing their struggles. Azul "Blue Lightning" Mora blasted 777 for Guatemala, essentially putting the game out of reach. Jaturun Choen hit 424 for the Chocolatiers, as they lost with 1233. Playing against his home country's team, Adrien Laurent scored 458 for the Conquistadors, icing a win with 2868 points. Guatemala moved to 2-1, while Brussels dropped to 1-5.
Down in South Africa, the Johannesburg Lions welcome the road-weary Brussels Chocolatiers, who will likely suffer from fatigue as part of the back-to-back games. Patrido Salazar sliced 313 for Brussels. Wiebe Becker had only 90 points for Johannesburg, starting them at a deficit. Florent Claes got stopped at 103 for the Chocolatiers. Normando Alonso shot back with 376 for the Lions, pulling them to a slight lead. Dobromil Zeman continued to flounder, with only 51 for Brussels. Ken Howard did little to gain separation for Johannesburg, posting just 80 points. Rodas Cazares grabbed 160 for the Chocolatiers, doing slightly better than recent form. Lucio Adame cranked out 705 for the Lions, giving them a comfortable lead. Eric Zaragoza hit a meager 76 for Brussels, putting them on pace to lose again. Oshri Aharonov chipped 152 for Johannesburg, holding the lead steady. Jaturun Choen's 75 points put the Chocolatiers at 778 as their weak final, taking another, more brutal loss. Pieter Hendrickx posted a triumphant 783 against his hometown team for the Lions, putting the hosts at 2186 in the win. Johannesburg is now 4-3 while Brussels continues to sink to 1-6.
Now in Europe, the Madrid Toros host the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke's early success for Amsterdam seems distant now, as he posted only 36 points. Spencer Howard countered with 369 for Madrid. Yaozu Miao produced 291 for the Hotstove, getting them a little closer. Pepillo Gamboa knocked 232 for the Toros. Carlos Barajas crushed 854 to put Amsterdam firmly in charge of the game. Lennert Verheyen left Madrid trailing after scoring 160 points. Veto Casas slipped up with a measly 36 for the Hotstove. Thabo Chahine pulled the Toros closer with 264, including some impressive bat work for the long-retired pitcher. Andrew Reynolds continued to do more harm than help for Amsterdam, finishing this game with 25 points in another lousy effort. Guillem Gamboa slapped 359 for Madrid, giving them a narrow but far from secure lead. Manolito Avalos broke his slump, scoring 338 to put the Hotstove at 1580, forcing a move from the hosts. Martin Badillo poked 232 for the Toros, doing just enough for them to win with 1616. Madrid goes to 5-3, while Amsterdam drops to 2-5.
Out in the Philippines, the Manila Pacmen bring in the Madrid Toros for the second half of the visitors' doubleheader. In their first meeting, the Pacmen got the win. Spencer Howard, looking for Madrid to get revenge, showed no signs of wear in hitting 507. Haejun Ki couldn't keep up for Manila, posting 256. Pepillo Gamboa sliced 411 for the Toros. Porfirio Cazares left the Pacmen even farther behind after a meager 21-point showing. Lennert Verheyen popped 353 to keep Madrid firmly in control. His brother, Sander Verheyen, scored 313 for Manila, not quite matching the efforts of his older sibling. Thabo Chahine batted 227 for the Toros as their offense slowly declines throughout the game. Gerben Bovelt swatted 699 for the Pacmen, including a deft touch on a loose ball to redirect it to the back 4 zone when it was previously on course for the stumps. Guillem Gamboa shot back with 409 for Madrid, reestablishing their lead. Dries Renard kept Manila in range with 301, his best effort of the season. The Toros ended with perfect vision after Martin Badillo hit 113, leaving them at 2020. Richard Miller didn't have it in him for the Pacmen, hitting a measly 49 for 1639 total for the vanquished hosts. Madrid got revenge, going to 6-3 during their current hot streak, while Manila drops to a still-strong 3-2.
Finally, the Melbourne Renegades host the Prague Checkmates, a team they've already defeated once. Pancho Barrios began with 177 for Prague, the pitcher-heavy squad. Charlie Thompson kept Melbourne level with 185 to start. Lucila Zavala put together 432 for the Checkmates, establishing a reasonable lead. Theodore White managed only 136 for the Renegades. Hyunjae Kwak posted 240 for Prague. Sancho Ramos couldn't get the ball settled for Melbourne, taking a weak 51. The third musketeer, Corentin Aerts, slapped 328 for the Checkmates against the other two musketeers' team. Rana Naqvi managed 162 for the Renegades, who just don't appear to have it in this game. Darryl Estrada grabbed 355 for Prague ahead of Melbourne's dynamic duo. Sikke Eichel batted just 115 for Melbourne, almost guaranteeing a loss. Rayan Carranza supplied 249 for the Checkmates, leaving them with a final of 1781. Stanley Watts scored 351 for the Renegades, but they lost with 1000 even. Prague is up to 2-2 while Melbourne falls to 4-3.
That's all for today, with the next session on Thursday with three in the league and two Showcase games. Pool later tonight in a full session of about 60-70 or so games, and then a short pool session tomorrow, probably with 30-50 games.
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