We're about two days away from completing the round, and one of those begins now, with...
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Americus v. Patches. The blue cue gets the first look today, playing Rotation. Game 1 saw the players go back and forth, with Atlantic's Americus starting well but watching Boston's Patches come back for a lead before Americus did a three-ball run-out to take the game 8-6 for a 1-0 series lead. The Pirates' Americus dazzled with highlights in game 2. First was a cut on the 5 to the top side, followed directly by the 6-11 kick-combination to the bottom right as part of a four-ball run. The defense was also good, and Americus took over for a three-ball run-out, ending by making the 8 on a kick from the left rail to the top side with force for an 8-1 win to take a 2-0 series lead over the Swifts' Patches, who never had a chance in this game. Patches got a measure of revenge in game 3, dominating with a crafty five-ball run early. Americus took two turns to retie the game, only to go fruitless after that as Patches closed out an 8-5 win to make it 2-1 in the series. Game 4 started off electric, with Patches hammering in the 15 from the break, a rarity play to establish a nice early lead. Americus answered with a five-ball run, and while Patches pulled back on a three-ball run, things tightened from here. Patches made two late mistakes, and Americus scored on both of them to claim an 8-4 win and a 3-1 series lead. Americus dominated at the start of game 5, and while she slipped a bit, she still took the win 8-4, making it a 4-1 series win. Ranked #1 in Rotation, Americus will host Citrus of the Diamond Gems from this venue in the bracket quarterfinals. Patches finds herself the 51st player eliminated from the tournament, while Americus earns her first kill of the year.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Roxy v. Yekaterina Vasilyeva. The silver cue gets this Rotation series, with the hotshot rookie looking to continue her mastery of this event. Victoria's Yekaterina had to battle to earn the game 1 after a strong start didn't discourage Freedom's Roxy. In the end, Yekaterina cut the 15 to the bottom side for the 8-7 win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Roxy had a highlight reel shot in game 2, caroming the 3 off the 11-9 cluster to pot it in the bottom side, while the 11 fell in the top side for the double-pot as part of a five-ball run. Roxy eventually picked up the win by an 8-3 score, tying the series at 1. The Spurs' Yekaterina countered in a strong game 3 performance, staking out a lead with an early four-ball run, and then battling evenly with Roxy until she could close it out at 8-5, giving Yekaterina a 2-1 series lead after a solid effort. Roxy bounced back in a defensively-tilted game 4. Both players struggled at the start, and then Roxy broke free to gain a big lead. Yekaterina never got back in the game, losing 8-3, and the series is tied again at 2. Yekaterina did her best to build up a lead in game 5, but saw a three-ball run from Roxy take it away. Roxy missed the 14, and Yekaterina buried it and the 15 to recover for an 8-7 win and 3-2 series win. Yekaterina is ranked #96 in Rotation, and travels to Todavía's Apple Center to face the Stills' Sierra in the bracket semifinals.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Americus v. Kavan. We return north for another series in Atlantic, with the red cue up for 15-ball. Americus paced her attack in game 1, with the Atlantic shooter scoring a five-ball run early. Victoria's Kavan tried to answer, but Americus used defense to eventually earn a 14-15 combination to the bottom right, which she converted to win and take a 1-0 series lead on. The Spurs' Kavan answered in a fairly choppy game 2, scoring the 15 a few shots after a scratch by the Pirates' Americus to get the win that tied the series at 1. Americus had to weather Kavan bearing down with an eight-ball run in game 3, but he faltered on the 12, and Americus was able to take the win two turns later with the last two shots to regain the series lead at 2-1. Americus had a five-ball run early in game 4 that ultimately meant very little. The play was shoddy after that point, and it took Kavan's scratch for Americus to make the 13 and 15 at the top left for a win and 3-1 series lead. Kavan ended up with the win in game 5, working from ball-in-hand on the 15 after a scratch by Americus officially ended one of her worse games in the series. Americus still took the series 3-2, and the #6 ranked 15-ball player will host Cowzart of the Pearl Surfers at this venue in the bracket semifinals.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Chimpy v. Alyssa. The blue cue comes back to play 10-ball. Oceanside's Alyssa did the bulk of the work in game 1, including two separate three-ball runs, and she was rewarded with Modernistic's Chimpy missing the 10 for her to tap-in for a win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw both players do well. The Waves' Alyssa had a three-ball run at one point, but a miss on the 8 left the Union's Chimpy lined up pretty nicely to work a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1 with his bold win. Alyssa seemed to have a late edge in game 3, kicking the 8 to the top side, but she missed on the bank attempt for the 10. This lined Chimpy up to strike it to the top left, and he was true, burying it for the win and a 2-1 series lead. Chimpy absolutely dominated game 4, running from 2 to 9 with an eight-ball run. However, he couldn't cut the 10 at the bottom right, and his hard attempt resulted in a scratch. Alyssa made the 10 from ball-in-hand for the win, tying the series at 2. Chimpy tried a bit of defense early in game 5, but couldn't make it stand in the end, as Alyssa broke free with a four-ball run-out to finish with a win and take the series 3-2 overall. Alyssa is ranked #75 for 10-ball, and will travel to Pepsi Arena in Lighton to face the Prestige's Lydia in the bracket semifinals.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Kavan v. Stinky. A former Cascade hosts a current one for a series of 12-ball with the red cue. Freedom's Stinky capitalized on Victoria's Kavan scratching from the break. This did enough to help Stinky claim a suit and then set himself up nicely, staving off Kavan's three-ball run to get the win with the last two shots for a 1-0 series lead for the visitor. The Cascades' Stinky played a very strong break, running three balls from it. The Spurs' Kavan had a wild card ball and did a four-ball run, but Stinky pulled back with three precise shots in a row to end it and take a 2-0 series lead. Kavan had to deal with a sharp break from Stinky in game 3, but Kavan also put up a five-ball run and nearly took the sixth at the top left. Stinky had a bit of defense, but Kavan finished it two turns later, grabbing a win to cut the series to 2-1. Stinky had the better start in game 4, picking his corners well, but he had no lines at the side pockets. Kavan took his time and set himself up better, pulling away to a win late in the game once he was able to execute his shots. Kavan's win tied the series at 2. Stinky was ready to walk away from the table when he cut the 1 into the top side and banked the 4 off the carom to the bottom right, but the cue found the bottom side for a scratch, delaying celebrations and pulling him even to Kavan, who had a wild card ball and a four-ball run to get this far. Kavan also scratched, disrupting his efforts, and Stinky took the 4 back to that pocket to win for real on his next shot. Ranked #105 for 12-ball, Stinky's Cinderella story faces a big challenge in the bracket semifinals, as he'll play the Flames' Max in Queens' Ebay Center.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Lorde v. Precious. The red cue stays on for 9-ball a bit to the north. Commerce's Lorde made enough mistakes to lose game 1, but Pronger's Precious seemed unable to take advantage most of the time, and Lorde was able to sneak off with the win for a 1-0 series lead after Precious missed on the 8. Game 2 started off sloppy for the players, but when the Tradewinds' Lorde got going, she had a four-ball run and made the last two shots after a scratch from the Tridents' Precious. Lorde took a 2-0 series lead with the strong finish. Game 3 also leaned in favor of Lorde, to the tune of a three-ball run-out after holding an edge at the start. The win secured the series at 3-0 for Lorde, giving Precious no hope to advance. Precious had her best sequence in game 4, going on a three-ball run over the middle, but she faded on the 8, and Lorde made the last two shots to take a 4-0 series lead. Lorde made a late rally after Precious stuttered and stumbled again in game 5, winning the game with a four-ball run-out to seal off a 5-0 series sweep. Ranked #32 in 9-ball, Lorde will host Watermelon of the Pearl Surfers in the bracket semifinals.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Oreo. The first great pair of leaders for the Solid Core club battle in 10-ball with the red cue. Terrace City's Oreo had control for much of game 1, working possession a bit cautiously. Her weak shot on the 9 gave Lighton's Acorn enough daylight to make a pair of shots and win for a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the roles reversed a bit, with the Prestige's Acorn committing a scratch on the 8, allowing the Knights' Oreo to come up big for the last two shots, turning them in for a win that tied the series at 1. Oreo looked to be in the driver's seat in game 3, piecing together a pretty substantial five-ball run, but her scratch after she rattled the 9 out of the bottom left gave Acorn the ball-in-hand he needed to finish it off for a 2-1 series lead with the win. Oreo had game 4 in her grips, but a casual shot ended her five-ball run as she missed the 10 wide from short range. Acorn buried the leftovers with a nice tap-in to seal the series at 3-1 after Oreo's colossal mistake. Acorn needed only three shots in game 5, winning with the 8 on the break, a simple shot on the 1, and a carom off the 2 to bury the 10 in the bottom right. Ranked #33 in 10-ball, Acorn won the series 4-1, and will travel to Nissan Hall in Infinity to meet with the Torpedoes' Gabe in the bracket semifinals.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Twinkie II v. Sprinkles. The blue cue is up for 12-ball now. Capital City's Sprinkels began game 1 with a five-ball run on her first turn, but she couldn't make the 12 in the top right. Harrison's Twinkie II spent two turns playing defense and setting herself up, and then made a five-ball run-out of almost all tap-ins to win and take a 1-0 series lead in thrilling form. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles again had the better play early on, only to see a pair of three-ball runs destroy her efforts, as the Specters' Twinkie II again lined herself up well and executed quickly to get the 2-0 series lead with a win. Sprinkles got one back with a game 3 win, having to work from behind but not meeting much resistance, as Twinkie II struggled to get set at the side pockets, allowing Sprinkles to pick her shots pretty effectively. This made it a 2-1 series. Sprinkles fell behind early to a bold attack by Twinkie II in game 4, who pressed very effectively. Twinkie II ran out of well-set shots, and Sprinkles hammered a four-ball run to level the game bit. Sprinkles had to battle, and on her second try, she made the 5 at the top left, giving her the win to tie the series at 2. Sprinkles had to come from behind again in game 5, working with a pair of three-ball runs to get the win around a strong start and weak finish from Twinkie II. Ranked #15, Sprinkles took the series 3-2, and she'll host her cousin and best friend Citrus, the Diamond Gems star, at Capital City SuperCenter in the bracket semifinals.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Ruby v. Dustin. A big rematch between league stars is taking place in 9-ball with the silver cue. Central's Dustin had the first big run, going for a three-ball stretch early in game 1. Both players took swipes at a 9 located near the top right, but Archtown's Ruby buried it with a slight carom off the 8 near the end to get the 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Ruby played a strong game 2, working around the table in short runs and defense that threw off the Warriors' Dustin until her failed bank on the 9. This didn't get a good angle, but it left Dustin lined up for an easy shot that he made to win the game and tie the series at 1. Game 3 also showed off the skills of the players well, as they battled evenly again until the end, where Ruby went on a four-ball run-out, surging forward for the victory to retake a series lead at 2-1. Game 4 was not as good as the others, as both were evenly bad as opposed to good. The ending showed the basic flaws, as Dustin set Ruby up for the 7, which she made with good position earned on the 9, only to miss it and Dustin cut it in the top side for the win, tying the series again at 2. Game 5 returned to the established quality of play expected between these two players. Dustin made a late three-ball run, but missed the 9 narrowly at the top left, conceding everything to Ruby when she tapped it in for a win and a 3-2 series win. The #24 ranked 9-ball player, Ruby will host Ms. Puppy of the Modernistic Union at this venue in the bracket semifinals.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Twinkie III v. Jasmine. The blue cue has a series of Rotation to end its day. Whitewater's Twinkie III had magical looking cuts early in game 1 to stake out a lead that Freedom's Jasmine erased with a four-ball run-out. Twinkie III tried to hold on in the end, but rattled her last shot out, and Jasmine buried it and the next one for the 8-7 win and 1-0 series lead. Game 2 started in much the same way, with the Cascades' Jasmine taking an early lead and the Shores' Twinkie III pulling even. This one differed in finishing, as Jasmine took a few turns to slowly build her lead until she won 8-3, taking a 2-0 series lead in the process. In game 3, Jasmine again collected an early lead, but she couldn't make it hold, as Twinkie III took over around the middle of the game. Jasmine got a few back when Twinkie III struggled finishing, but the host ultimately won 8-6 when Jasmine couldn't slide the 14 into the bottom left. This cut the series to 2-1. Jasmine didn't let this get her down at all, establishing a lead in game 4 and then having to hold onto it for awhile before getting clear and then emerging with the 8-3 win to secure the series at 3-1. Twinkie III had a nice four-ball run to gain the lead early in game 5, and she made it work all the way to the end, chipping along to an 8-4 win that made it a 3-2 series final for Jasmine. Ranked #85 in Rotation, Jasmine will travel to Todavía's Apple Center to face Stills captain Easter in the bracket semifinals.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Blizzard v. Midnight. The red cue finishes its day with 15-ball. Everton's Blizzard deserved a better fate after a four-ball opening run and a three-ball run late in the game that saw her double-pot the 9 and 13 to the right corners and then double-kiss the 12 into the bottom side on a bank. Westside's Midnight won because Blizzard missed the 15, and Midnight banked it to the bottom right for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The players exchanged three-ball runs early and engaged in a mostly streaky game. This game to a halt at the end, when the Eagles' Blizzard again left the 15 short, and the Rockers' Midnight cashed in on the tap-in to win and take a 2-0 series lead. Blizzard couldn't handle a cluster that had the 15 in it early in game 3, and her mistake with the 3 allowed Midnight to send the cue off the 3 and 14 to tap the 15 to the top right for another win, clinching the series at 3-0. Midnight dazzled in making three balls off the break and a handful of other multi-pots, but it was Blizzard on the four-ball run-out at the end getting the win, finally turning the tides even if a bit too late as the series goes to 3-1. Midnight staged a big rally in game 5, grabbing the win early after a bad break left things cluttered on the right side of the table. Blizzard had an egregious missed contact, and Midnight turned in the 8-15 combination to the top right to secure a 4-1 series win. Midnight is ranked #95 for 15-ball, and will travel to Tysini's Cisco Arena to face the Hummingbirds' Leandra in the bracket semifinals. Blizzard has been eliminated from the tournament as Midnight's first kill of the year with this particular series loss.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake v. Leonette. The silver cue ends the day with a 10-ball series. Royal's Jake had an impressive three-ball run early in game 1, double-potting the 2 in the top left and 6 in the top side. Pacific's Leonette never let him back to the table, making a five-ball run-out with good planning and execution to get the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Jake bounced right back in game 2, hardly letting the Volcanoes' Leonette get comfortable. Jake ended the game by converting a pair of three-ball runs, the latter being the winner with three beautiful cut shots to tie the series at 1. Jake further asserted himself with a dominant finish in game 3, making a seven-ball run-out and ending the game early with a tough 8-10 combination to the top right after performing a set of well-planned shots to earn a 2-1 series lead over a stunned Leonette. In game 4, Leonette looked to be making a big answer, but she botched things twice late, missing the 8 and 10 and leaving them in line for Jake, who made both on separate turns to get the win and a 3-1 lead in the series. Leonette again made a late press in game 5, working a three-ball run to scare Jake, but her classical finish attempt toward the top side failed. Jake buried the 10 on the leftovers, and took the win for a 4-1 series win. Jake is ranked #8 for 10-ball, and he'll travel to Starbucks Arena in Archtown to face the Arrows' Dusky in the bracket semifinals.
The round should end tomorrow evening, with administrative tasks completed on Saturday and potentially the beginning of the new round on Sunday. Also, the first round of the cricket playoffs should also end tomorrow, and the games should be posted more regularly. All of this sets up an exciting championship month in June for the league, and then the process of expansion can begin in earnest.
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