We're back for the second day of the new round. We should taper from yesterday's pace a bit to leave time for cricket this evening. We begin with...
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Kirstin v. Tigerette. The red cue has another opener today, playing 8-ball to lead us off. Commerce's Tigerette ripped a five-ball run on her first turn, double-potting the 2 to the bottom left and the 6 to the top side. Southern's Kirstin pulled back with a four-ball run, but Tigerette had time to make her last two shots for the win and a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Monarchs' Kirstin made a 12-3-8-15 combination to the bottom side as part of a three-ball run that went into the highlight reel. The Tradewinds' Tigerette twice rallied to pull ahead, but she couldn't keep up with Kirstin in the end, as she got set up nicely to pot the 8, winning the game and tying the series at 1. Kirstin dominated in game 3, as Tigerette proved unable to gather any momentum, even after Kirstin's three-ball run ended with illegal contact. Tigerette made only one ball from ball-in-hand, and Kirstin buried the 8 for the win at the bottom right, going up 2-1 in the series. Tigerette had a five-ball run that also sank two of Kirstin's balls in game 4, and this collateral damage proved costly, as Kirstin made the last five shots. She ended on a three-ball run after Tigerette missed on the 8, allowing Kirstin three cut shots to the bottom right to secure the series at 3-1 with the win. Tigerette again tried to play with too much finesse in game 5, missing the 8 wide at the top right, which allowed Kirstin to recover from an earlier miss and score it, winning the series 4-1. Kirstin is ranked #39 for 8-ball, and she'll play in the bracket semifinals.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Neopolitan v. Sierra. These two Youth Movement leaders duel in Rotation with the silver cue. Todavía's Sierra had all the luck early in game 1, but that disappeared when there were less deflection options. This allowed Pearl's Neopolitan to twice tie the game before winning 8-7 and taking a 1-0 series lead. The Stills' Sierra spent much of game 2 behind, but two double-pots helped her snag an 8-6 win, including her finale of a 12-14 combination follow shot at the top right, good enough to tie the series at 1. The Surfers' Neopolitan would have probably gotten the game had she not seen three points taken off the board for fouls. Game 3 was never in any doubt, as Sierra staked out a very significant lead early on after Neopolitan scratched again. While Neopolitan had a couple of good shots, Sierra cruised to an 8-1 win, ending it on a 9-10 combination to the bottom right that she set up nicely after potting the 8. Sierra holds a 2-1 series lead after this win. Neopolitan started off well in game 4, but quickly faded as she tangled with Sierra over the middle of the game. Sierra then pulled out a three-ball run to take the lead, and won it 8-5 on the next turn as Neopolitan scratched in a desperate attempt to earn a good position. Sierra secured the series at 3-1. Neopolitan made an absolute mess of game 5, having two key scratches bookending a big run from Sierra, who eventually took the game 8-1 and the series 4-1. Ranked #38 for Rotation, Sierra is into the bracket semifinals.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Goldy v. Misty. The silver cue stays up for a series of 12-ball between captains. Westside's Misty made a good opening run in game 1, establishing herself early, but Everton's Goldy had a three-ball run late to gain an edge. Misty missed her last ball multiple times, giving Goldy enough time to win the game and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Eagles' Goldy started hot again in game 2, maneuvering around the table well. The Rockers' Misty held her own at first, but couldn't get up her last two shots, and Goldy earned ball-in-hand when Misty knocked one in illegally. Goldy buried her last ball to win, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Misty changed game 3 pretty quickly, going on a four-ball run and having plenty of time based on Goldy's poor positioning to work the last two, which she made three turns later to win and cut the series to 2-1. In game 4, Misty took full advantage of Goldy surrendering a wild card ball, waiting for Goldy to do a three-ball run with a set-up shot before striking her last ball into one of her option pockets for the win, tying the series at 2 in a competitive comeback effort. Misty had to take a defensive stance late in game 5, but Goldy also adopted defense to force Misty into one more missed contact, giving Goldy a free shot at her last ball, which she made to win the game and the series 3-2. Ranked #47 in 12-ball, Goldy will host a bracket semifinal at this venue.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Midnight v. Yekaterina Vasilyeva. The blue cue comes on for 9-ball now, as a rookie meets a middling veteran. Westside's Midnight capitalized on some overly aggressive shooting by Victoria's Yekaterina, burying a three-ball run-out for a 1-0 series lead for the host. The Spurs' Yekaterina got very unlucky in game 2, watching her carom off the 2 leave the 9 on the lip of the top right. Clearly, it was close to falling, as when the Rockers' Midnight potted the 5 in the bottom right, the 9 dropped without contact. This counted for a Midnight win, making it a 2-0 series. Midnight brushed Yekaterina aside easily in game 3, dominating from the start with a five-ball run, and then making the last two shots when Yekaterina missed the 8 to clinch the series at 3-0. Yekaterina answered back, getting on the board with a dominant game 4 finish, winning on a five-ball run-out that shut down any hopes for Midnight's sweeping chances. The loss means Midnight is up 3-1 in the series. Midnight was the one with a five-ball run late in game 5, but she missed just barely on the 9 at the bottom right, and Yekaterina's tap-in made it a 3-2 series win for Midnight. Ranked #18 in 9-ball, Midnight is through to the bracket semifinals.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Rainmane v. Gizmo. The silver cue steps up again for a series of 8-ball. Web City's Rainmane had a strong start to game 1, but Central's Gizmo came through like a bull in a china shop, rallying for a four-ball run with a bit of collateral damage. Gizmo got the favor returned, and made the last two balls to win the game and take a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Gizmo stalled his own game 2 efforts when he sank the Spiders' Rainmane's 5 while attempting the 8. Rainmane ignited from here for a three-ball run-out to win the game and tie the series at 1. Gizmo had to hold his breath near the end of game 3, as he missed the 8 and Rainmane made it, but she had just a bit too much power on the shot, scratching to hand Gizmo the win and a 2-1 series lead. Gizmo returned the favor again in game 4, burying a four-ball run after nearly sinking the 8 on the break. Rainmane didn't make a ball on her only turn, and Gizmo did another four-ball run, but that well-placed 8 led to a scratch. Rainmane won a game she didn't deserve after losing one she should have won, tying the series at 2 and setting up a final, blank-slate game. Game 5 saw both players play their worst game of the series, shooting around late in the game with no real purpose or intention. Rainmane eventually got the win after Gizmo scratched, kicking softly into the 8 at the top left for the win and a 3-2 series win. Rainmane, ranked #28 in 8-ball, will host Crystal of the Queens Flames at this venue in the bracket semifinals.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Puff II. The silver cue caps off its day with a series of Accuracy before turning in early. Central's Dustin started game 1 very well, but collapsed in its later stages as Boston's Puff II buckled down and forced him into a 2-3 loss, giving herself a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw a lot less accuracy in the shooting on both sides, but it was the Warriors' Dustin missing late again to setup the Swifts' Puff II for a 4-5 win and a 2-0 series lead after she cleaned up the scraps. Dustin finally found his groove a bit in game 3, keeping pace with Puff II until late in the game, where he induced her to miss a shot and then made his to pick up a 3-4 win and make it 2-1 in the series. Puff II had a late miss to drop into a tie in game 4, allowing Dustin to snipe the 11 to the top left, and then he won 2-3 in overtime as her break provided nothing but a well-set shot for Dustin to bury. The win tied the series at 2. Dustin just couldn't hold on in game 5, slipping to a 2-4 loss as Puff II played relentless with the lead. She won the series 3-2 as well, and the #82 ranked Accuracy player heads to the bracket semifinals. Puff II will play against Web City Spiders captain Shadow at Home Depot Forum.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Bells v. Wings. The red cue is back in action for 7-ball in the first of two straight series at this venue. Oceanside's Bells had a bad break, but it paled in comparison to Pearl's Wings illegally hitting the 5, setting Bells up to do a three-ball run-out to win and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Wings played a bit better in game 2, but left the 7 short as his three-ball run ended, leaving an easy tap-in for the Waves' Bells. She converted, taking a 2-0 series lead. Bells sealed the series in game 3, winning on a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand after another poor foul from Wings gave her possession, advancing as the series heads to 3-0 in Bells' favor. Bells made it 4-0 in the series with a lackluster but effective game 4 victory, beating Wings as his shooting was frequently off the mark in a meaningless game. Wings finally got a game, winning game 5 after the two jockeyed around the 7 at the end. Wings buried it on his third chance to make it a 4-1 series win for Bells. Ranked #11 for 7-ball, Bells has home table advantage in the bracket semifinals.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Pounce v. Citrus. The venue's second series is in 12-ball with the blue cue. It only took Diamond's Citrus two turns to unleash a six-ball run-out, wiping the table as she navigated Oceanside's Pounce's unintended defense. His inability to claim stripes allowed Citrus to make mostly easy pickings as she went up 1-0 in the series. The Waves' Pounce handed the Gems' Citrus a chance to rally back as he made illegal contact while trying to position his 12 near the bottom side. Citrus couldn't ignite, missing from ball-in-hand as she had a plan to run out, and Pounce cut the 12 in for the win, tying the series at 1. Citrus and Pounce engaged in a very deliberate battle in game 3, each trying to pace their attack with a balance of defense to prevent a rally. This worked well, and eventually Citrus was able to break through when Pounce failed to kick the 1 to the bottom side. Citrus took the 13 at the bottom left, winning to go up 2-1 in the series. In game 4, Citrus gave away an early wild card ball as she tried to establish a lead. She still did well, but Pounce was able to defend her final pocket and save it for his last shot at the same time, with a backup plan fully formed should that fail. He didn't need the backup, making the 14 at the top side to win, retying the series at 2 in the process. Game 5 took on the style of a race, with both players needing the left corners. Citrus had a scratch, but the play left Pounce's last balls clustered, preventing him from picking an angle. The scratch allowed Citrus to play off a third ball, and this helped her win, giving her a 3-2 series win. The #67 ranked 12-ball player, Citrus will play in the bracket semifinals. With the loss, Pounce is the 33rd player ousted from the tournament. Citrus joins three other players atop the kills chart at 2.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Misty. The blue cue leads off the night with 7-ball. Harrison's Twinkie II didn't have a great start to game 1, but Westside's Misty couldn't finish it off, allowing Twinkie II to tap in the 6 and make the 7 for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw plenty of errors on both sides, with the Specters' Twinkie II doing the worst, missing a well-placed 6. The Rockers' Misty finally cashed in on the shots left, burying the last two balls to win and tie the series at 1. Twinkie II had a three-ball run late in game 3, but she left the 7 in line at the bottom right. Misty flubbed her shot on this one, allowing Twinkie II to hammer it home on her second try, giving her the win for a 2-1 series lead. Misty had a chance to retie the series as the 7 popped out on a nice line in game 4, but again she came up with an errant shot, and Twinkie II corralled it to win again, sealing the series at 3-1. Misty finally got a game, as she went with a three-ball run late in game 5, missing the 6. Twinkie II got that and drove the 7 toward the bottom right, but it rattled out for Misty to cut in. Twinkie II won the series 3-2, and the #9 ranked 7-ball player will host her bracket semifinal series. With the loss, Misty is the 34th player eliminated this year. Twinkie II took her second kill of the year.
Ebay Center, Queens: Max v. Smudge. The red cue comes back in for this series of 12-ball. Queens' Max gave up a wild card ball to Infinity's Smudge in game 1, and he managed to overcome that deficit as she failed to make her final ball, allowing Max to meander around and win, taking a 1-0 series lead. It appeared the decision to grant Max a win was flawed, as he appeared to have not deserved it. The non-call angered the Torpedoes' Smudge, and it was worse when the same rule went against her, forcing her to meet the Flames' Max head on at the bottom left, where their balls were jammed at the lip. Smudge tried first to score, but it was Max who won on the tap-in, going up 2-0 in the series and enraging the Torpedoes organization as a whole. Game 3 played out pretty tightly for both players, as each had their surges and slip-ups, before Smudge buried her final two shots with pretty fortunate positioning involved. The win made it a 2-1 series lead for Max, but that number will be contentious for the whole series. Smudge gave away a wild card ball on the break of game 4, but she held her own until the end, where Max sniped the 14 to the top left and an even longer-range shot on the 9 to the bottom right for the win to secure the series at 3-1. Max surrendered a wild card ball with his break in game 5, and he played very well, holding Smudge up at the bottom side that they both wanted to score in, but he was errant on his last shot after removing his defense, and Smudge made her shot to win. Max, ranked #20 in 12-ball, won the series 3-2, and will host a bracket semifinal series.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Dreamy. Two very solid players meet in 8-ball with the red cue. Swordpoint's Dreamy was well on her way to catching up with Pacific's Starlight in game 1, but she misguidedly tried to jam her last ball past Starlight's. This failed, potting Starlight's 11, and giving her an easy line on the 8 to the top side that she converted to win and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Blades' Dreamy had a good effort going in game 2, but a scratch on the 12 ruined her game, and the Volcanoes' Starlight worked from the kitchen to put up a four-ball run-out for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Starlight blew Dreamy out of the water in game 3, starting off strong and playing well throughout. Starlight almost converted a ridiculous shot, as her cut on the 13 saw the cue carom and twice hit the 12, knocking it just wide of the top side. It didn't slow her down, as Dreamy only made one shot all game, and Starlight cruised to the next round, securing the series at 3-0. On Starlight's opening four-ball run in game 4, she made the 15-2-13-11 to the bottom right for a highlight real combination. Dreamy finally won the game, as she played just ahead of Starlight for much of it, getting around a late defensive maneuver from Starlight to pot the 8 at the top left, making it a 3-1 series with Dreamy's first win. Starlight bounced back in game 5, watching Dreamy take a five-ball run before countering with a four-ball run and setting the 8 up, which she made on her next turn for the win and a 4-1 series win. Ranked #71 in 8-ball, Starlight will travel to Del Sur's Microsoft Center, where she'll face the Monarchs' hotshot rookie Kirstin in the bracket semifinals. Dreamy's loss makes her the 35th player to be knocked out of the tournament. Starlight is responsible for three of those knockouts now.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles v. Pedey. The last series of the day is 8-ball with the blue cue. Game 1 saw both players struggle early on, but Capital City's Sprinkles managed to turn in a four-ball run-out after Diamond's Pedey had chipped his way forward. Sprinkles had the win instead, going up 1-0 in the series. The Gems' Pedey had the first and last words in game 2, claiming his suit and ending on a four-ball run-out to tie the series at 1, while the Sharpshooters' Sprinkles threatened heavily with a seven-ball run in the middle, but made illegal contact prior to the 8. Pedey absolutely dismantled Sprinkles in game 3, working a five-ball run early on and then busting up her good shots before finishing the game off with a bit of collateral damage play, muscling his way to a win that gave him a 2-1 series lead, and well-earned. Pedey couldn't really find a shot for himself in game 4, dealing with a cluttered table on the right side. Sprinkles had a bit more luck, finding a few open shots and working with what she got. When Pedey scratched late, Sprinkles struck the 8 to the top right from the kitchen, good for a win to retie the series at 2. Sprinkles had to weather a three-ball run late in the game by Pedey, but she turned out a four-ball run-out herself right after that to get the win and take the series 3-2. Ranked #46 in 8-ball, Sprinkles advances to the bracket semifinals.
Tomorrow may feature an abbreviated schedule due to family obligations, as may the rest of the week. We're tracking to finish the round on Thursday or Friday of next week.
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