This is actually a two-day post, with small portions making a full day in the end. We begin with likely six series on 5/11, the first being...
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Panda. The day begins with each cue having a go at 7-ball, with the blue cue taking the first series. Freedom's Nikolai had his issues early in game 1, but came up big when Southern's Panda missed the 7 late in the game, tapping it in to win and take a 1-0 series lead for the host. The Cascades' Nikolai started off decently in game 2, but he didn't get many chances after that, as the Monarchs' Panda pieced together a five-ball run-out to win the game and tie the series at 1. In game 3, both players made a mistake, but it was Panda's that proved costly, as he scratched while attempting to sink the 7, giving Nikolai ball-in-hand to win the game, and Nikolai did to take a 2-1 series lead. In game 4, both players had some trouble at the end, with Panda nearly scratching after taking the 5 from ball-in-hand. Nikolai couldn't get enough on the 7, and Panda did pot it to retie the series at 2 after the shaky win. Panda ended up getting the game 5 win after Nikolai botched a number of his shots, allowing Panda to clean up scraps. Panda took the series 3-2, and the #57 ranked 7-ball player will host Nikolai's girlfriend and Cascades teammate Roxy in the third round at Microsoft Center in Del Sur.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Mams v. Twilight. The red cue is next for its 7-ball series out on the coast. Viewpoint Sound's Mams had a four-ball run at the start before a lull, and then finished on a three-ball run-out as Central's Twilight played ineffectively, giving Mams a 1-0 series lead after game 1. The Meteors' Mams played pretty well with a five-ball run spanning the middle of game 2, but she couldn't connect with the 7, missing twice, and the Warriors' Twilight sank it to tie the series at 1. Twilight saw her frustrations get the better of her in game 3, causing her to miss on the 7 after a difficult game. Mams cleaned up the miss with an easy tap-in, winning the game to take the series lead back at 2-1. Twilight fired back with a four-ball run-out to claim game 4, showing her dominant side once again to retie the series at 2 with Mams, setting up a big finale. Twilight wasted no time in winning game 7, burying the 6 and 7 off the break for the win and a 3-2 series win to stun the home crowd. Twilight, ranked #52 in 7-ball, will travel to Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center to oppose the Swifts' Gradley in the third round.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Nicole v. Goldy. The silver cue is up for 7-ball, completing the three-series run of the event. Everton's Goldy took a sloppy game 1 in the series, allowing Southern's Nicole to miss on the 7 before striking in and winning for a 1-0 series lead. The Eagles' Goldy had a four-ball run-out to win game 2, coming after a bad scratch from ball-in-hand by the Monarchs' Nicole, who was visibly frustrated after the game. Goldy leads the series 2-0. Nicole did all the work in game 3, scoring a six-ball run that featured a double-pot with the 2 in the bottom side and the 6 in the bottom right, but Goldy had all the glory, making the 7 on her second and final shot of the game to secure the series at 3-0. Nicole had a couple of chances to take game 4 as well, missing on a combination and then a direct chance at the 7, allowing Goldy to tap it in at the bottom side and gain a 4-0 series lead. Nicole was in the middle of a controversy late in game 5, where she was judged to have tapped the 6 with her stick on a kick attempt. The movement was ruled to make the ball go in, giving Goldy ball-in-hand on the 7, which she easily buried. Goldy took the series in a 5-0 sweep, and her #74 ranked 7-ball bid will be in Diamond in the third round, facing the Gems' Cassandra at the Intel Center.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Graham. The red cue is in action as we do not shift venues, playing a doubleheader with this 9-ball series on the back end. Southern's Shannon had an inexplicable foul in game 1, missing the 9 from medium range with no obstacles, allowing Eastside's Graham to take a well-played game on a cheap ball-in-hand to make it a 1-0 series lead for himself. The Sharks' Graham dominated the early stages of game 2, especially as the Monarchs' Shannon had two scratches and a bad miss. Graham missed contact on the 7 and Shannon fixed her shot, working a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 1. In game 3, Shannon had a five-ball run over the middle, clearly shooting better than she was before. Graham didn't give her another shot after that run though, sealing the game with a three-ball run-out to regain the series lead at 2-1. Graham picked up the win in a sloppy game 4 as well, making the last two shots to seal the series at 3-1, while Shannon fell back into bad shooting patterns. Shannon made no effort to save face in game 5, eventually losing to Graham's well-hit 5-9 combination to the bottom right, giving him the 4-1 series win. Ranked #36 in 9-ball, Graham hosts Juno of the Modernistic Union in the third round from Eastside's HP Field Events Center.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Diddley v. Lydia. The red cue stays on for a series of Rotation. Maplewood's Diddley performed well in game 1, building up a lead but suffering a scratch. Lighton's Lydia charged with a five-ball run to take the lead, but Diddley weathered it, making the last two balls to win 8-7 and take a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Lydia couldn't get anything going in game 2, falling behind and then scratching as she closed the deficit. The Lumberjacks' Diddley replied with an 8-11-15 combination, an 8-11 combination, and then a straight shot on the 8, all to the bottom right, to win 8-3 and make it 2-0 in the series. Game 3 was a total mess on both sides, but the few shots that did go in mostly belonged to Diddley, who won 8-2 in an anything-but-dominant manner, giving him the series at 3-0 as well. Lydia made a stuttering and bumbling rally back into competition in game 4, but she couldn't score the win, as Diddley closed out for an 8-6 win, giving himself a 4-0 series lead with a slightly better performance. Diddley came out flat in game 5, only making a late push through a double-pot of the 14 and 15 to the bottom right after a carom from the 7 and the cue. He still couldn't hold on, with Lydia winning 8-5. Diddley took the series 4-1, and the #18 ranked Rotation player will travel to Audi Hall in Terrace City for his third round series against the Knights' Oreo.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Boots v. Cassandra. The blue cue comes on for 12-ball in the Thursday opener, making it a 5 and 7 split between the days due to time constraints. Despite Southridge's Boots scratching on the game 1 break, Diamond's Cassandra failed to initiate any play, and Boots ended up shutting her out, using a three-ball run to really pace her play in the win that gave the host a 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Boots won a messy game 2 that saw the Gems' Cassandra in control until she had two consecutive scratches. Boots couldn't shoot with any accuracy, but eventually finished the game off to take a 2-0 series lead. Cassandra likely gave away game 3, taking a hyper-defensive stance at the end of a game that saw both flirt with finishing. The defense was a half shot on her last ball, allowing Boots an open shot at her well-set final ball, which she buried to secure the series at 3-0. Cassandra finally took a game, winning game 4 with a bit of confidence as she quickly maneuvered the table and removed Boots' defense before scoring her final ball, putting the series at 3-1 for Boots. Cassandra did all of Boots' heavy lifting in game 5, making her last two balls for her, which gave Boots a bit of a cheap win and a 4-1 series win. Ranked #11 in 12-ball, Boots will host Chelsea of the Eastside Sharks in the third round at this venue.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Whiskers v. Patches. The silver cue comes on for 7-ball after some post-series fireworks in the last series. Infinity's Whiskers had the bulk of play in an abbreviated game 1, as she beat Boston's Patches with a three-ball run-out, ending on a 4-7 combination to the top right for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Torpedoes' Whiskers lost her dominance in game 2, allowing a few shots from the Swifts' Patches, who win with the last potted balls to tie the series at 1. Patches had a couple of mistakes in game 3, missing on the 3 and then missing the 4 altogether, leading to Whiskers gaining ball-in-hand for a four-ball run-out that gave her another win in confident form, moving her back into the series lead at 2-1. Patches had two separate three-ball runs in game 4, but the second of those runs ended in a scratch that gave Whiskers ball-in-hand for the 7. She tapped it in for the win, clinching the series at 3-1. Patches didn't quit, trying some adventurous shooting in game 5 before finally turning in a four-ball run-out for the win to give a 3-2 series win to Whiskers. Ranked #11 in 7-ball, Whiskers will host the Diamond Gems' Citrus in the third round at this venue.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Kirstin v. Boots. The red cue is up for a series of 8-ball, its last appearance of the round. Southern's Kirstin played well in game 1, using her defense to stuff Southridge's Boots around the middle of the game, and then turning out a three-ball run-out to win and take a 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Boots made game 2 closer than it needed to be, fumbling along after a five-ball opening run. The Monarchs' Kirstin almost looked to go long, but her three-ball run ended when the 5 stood tall. The two jockeyed around the end, with Boots finally turning the 8 into the top side to win and tie the series at 1 with Kirstin pressuring. Game 3 was absolutely fire-wagon pool, as Kirstin began with a six-ball run on her first turn, answered by a scratch-neutered six-ball run from Boots. As they battled on their second turns, Boots actually kicked the 15 back to the bottom left, but whiffed on the 13. Kirstin cashed in, making the 4 and then banking the 8 to the bottom side to regain the series lead at 2-1. Kirstin fell behind a bit in game 4, as Boots had a decent start in the sloppiest game of the series. Kirstin answered back in the end with a seven-ball run-out, brilliantly positioning herself to take the win and secure the series at 3-1. Boots turned the tables in game 5, going from nothing to everything with an eight-ball run-out that featured perfection positioning and execution to make it a 3-2 series final. Kirstin is ranked #39 for 8-ball, and will host Tigerette of the Commerce Tradewinds in the third round on a personality-filled bracket, with the series played at this venue.
Intel Center, Diamond: Pedey v. Cubby. The blue cue comes back in action for 8-ball. Diamond's Pedey came up strong, putting Maplewood's Cubby in a defensive shape in game 1. Cubby released the defense with a three-ball run, but it wasn't enough, with Pedey scoring the 8 to the bottom side to win for a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Pedey could have been dominant in game 2, but good will have to do, as he won on a three-ball run-out, outpacing the attack of the Lumberjacks' Cubby to claim a 2-0 series lead. Pedey nearly paid for his scratching problem in game 3, especially after Cubby double-potted the 10 and 14 on a clever play. Pedey rallied back, keying a seven-ball run-out with a double-pot of the 2 to the top right and the 7 to the bottom side, and then positioning himself well to wrap it up, sealing the series at 3-0 with his massive finishing run. Pedey continued to have all of the good luck, winning game 4 when Cubby had him on the ropes and then put the 8 in an uncalled pocket for the loss, allowing Pedey to go ahead 4-0 in the series. Pedey finally ran out of luck, leaving the 8 on the table too long, and Cubby came in to pot it at the end of a three-ball run-out. Pedey still won the series 4-1, and takes his #80 ranked 8-ball bid to the third round. He'll face the Sharpshooters' Sprinkles at Capital City SuperCenter. Cubby was the 27th player eliminated from the tournament with the series loss, giving Pedey his first professional kill.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Paps v. Neopolitan. The silver cue comes back around for Rotation. Pronger's Paps went on a lengthy four-ball run in game 1, establishing a significant lead. Pearl's Neopolitan almost managed to answer back, but fell short and lost 8-3, giving Paps a 1-0 lead in the series. The Surfers' Neopolitan had a lead in game 2, but she lost it to the Tridents' Paps after 10 balls. She ended up winning it back on a three-ball run-out, winning 8-5 to tie the series at 1, finishing on a clever bank of the 13 to the top right. Game 3 played out in a delightfully tidal manner, with Paps starting well, answered by Neopolitan's four-ball run that saw her double-pot the 4 to the bottom side and the 5 to the bottom right. Paps answered with a four-ball run of his own, and Neopolitan nearly had it won, sinking the 14 as the final ball, but scratching. Paps took the 14 and 15 from ball-in-hand, winning 8-7 to take a pivotal 2-1 series lead. Neopolitan rallied back from way down in game 4, making a four-ball run-out for an 8-6 win to retie the series at 2 after Paps stalled. Through these games, the series has seen more swings in momentum than a grandfather clock. Neither player has held control for long, making for some thrilling pool. Neopolitan capitalized on Paps' inability to get his offense going in game 5, charging out to a shaky 8-2 win that gave her the 3-2 series win. Ranked #31 in Rotation, Neopolitan will host Sierra of the Todavía Stills at Pearl's Honda Driftwood Coliseum. With the series loss, Paps is the 28th player out of the tournament, and likely has seen his last appearance with the Tridents. Neopolitan earned her first kill of the year.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Zach. The blue cue's last appearance of the round is in 8-ball. Dustin of Central had a nice four-ball run from the break, but he got shut down when the 8 went near the top side. Viewpoint Sound's Zach answered with a seven-ball run-out, emerging from the depths to win and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Dustin answered big time in game 2, running seven balls on his first turn and nearly stuffing the 8. The Meteors' Zach had a five-ball run to get back in the game, but came up short after his defense was gone. Dustin's win tied the series at 1. Dustin never let Zach to the table in game 3, but this wasn't good, because it was Dustin who illegally potted the 8 at the end of a five-ball run, giving Zach a freebie and a 2-1 series lead with the critical error. Dustin held on again with a good run that saw him set the 8 up at the top side, and then pot it when Zach couldn't get a run going. Dustin's win retied the series at 2. Dustin was not doing well early in game 5, as Zach played a high pressure game. That fell apart when Zach missed the 11 toward the top side, allowing Dustin to rally for a six-ball run-out, ending on a gutsy and well-paced bank of the 8 to the bottom right from an iffy angle. Dustin won the series 3-2, and will host B. Chapman of the Victoria Spurs at this venue in the third round as he moves his #10 ranked 8-ball bid forward.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Ruby. The silver cue wraps up the round with Accuracy. Central's Dustin had Archtown's Ruby down and out for most of game 1, but stumbled late. Ruby couldn't finish the trap, and ended up on the hook for the overtime break, which she scratched on. Dustin won 2-3 and took a 1-0 series lead with the patient play between regional superstar rivals. In a cooperative environment, the work the Arrows' Ruby did in game 2 would be appreciated. However, in competition, missing shots to set up the Warriors' Dustin cost her big in a 1-7 loss, as Dustin owns a stranglehold 2-0 series lead. Ruby kept herself alive in the series, keeping pace with a patient Dustin before finally leaving him with nothing, earning a 3-4 win with the heady play by the league's first real star. Dustin still has a 2-1 series lead. Ruby and Dustin tangled for an embarrassing game 4, both missing a fair share of easy shots. Ruby tried to pull a trap play again, but the game required overtime. Dustin used a soft break tactic, and was able to induce a miss by Ruby, but he couldn't make his shot on the 5, and Ruby did to win 6-7, tying the series at 2 as these titans will get one more go at it. Dustin and Ruby battled hard again, with Ruby losing grip halfway through game 5, and she was never able to catch up again a precise Dustin, who won 3-4 and took the series 3-2. Ranked #13 for Accuracy, Dustin will host Puff II of the Boston Swifts at this venue in the third round.
That's it for the second round of the tournament. This weekend will see a return of cricket, which has struggled to keep up with my other obligations. There will not be any pool until Sunday at the earliest. Expect a standings update and the Third Round/Bracket Quarterfinals schedule to be released by the end of the day.
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