We're back for a new day of games, beginning with...
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Cheddar v. Chris. The first series of the day is in Accuracy with the red cue. North Modernistic's Cheddar fell behind early in game 1, but she managed to make Capital City's Chris miss twice on his last two shots, good enough for Cheddar to take a 3-4 win and 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Chris survived falling behind in game 2, quickly rebounding to force the Nighthawks' Cheddar into a tie, and then pushing her behind at the end of the game. Chris took the win 2-4, tying the series at 1 game apiece. Cheddar had the advantage in game 3, only to see it wasted as she collapsed before the end. Chris took the lead and never let go, winning 2-3 to take the series 2-1. Chris will travel to Maplewood's UPS Hall to face the Lumberjacks' Fluffina in the second round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Salmo v. Chelsea. The blue cue wraps up its obligations in 7-ball for the round between a rookie and a star. Lighton's Salmo did very well in game 1, dominating possession with a five-ball run from the break. Eastside's Chelsea had a chance to win but missed on the 7, and Salmo tapped it in for the win, going ahead 1-0 in the series. The Prestige's Salmo stepped up with a big three-ball run-out in game 2, cancelling out a four-ball run by the Sharks' Chelsea, who experienced significant luck during her successful stretch of shots. Salmo made it a 2-0 series with the win, showing poise under pressure. Chelsea just didn't have enough in her run in game 3, falling after performing a six-ball run as her bank on the 7 left it at the bottom right for Salmo to tap in. Salmo swept the series 3-0, and will host Harrison Specters captain Twinkie II in the second round at this venue.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Mario v. Luigi. Brothers are set for battle in a series of 12-ball with the red cue, under intense focus to see the rookies perform. Central's Mario played a savvy game 1, pushing North Modernistic's Luigi into a difficult position. As Luigi flailed at his last ball, Mario got into position to complete the comeback, and when he did, his win put him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Warriors' Mario made two balls on the break in game 2, putting the Nighthawks' Luigi under immense pressure. Luigi responded well after a later scratch from Mario, working a five-ball run and nearly getting the last ball. He needed two more turns and another Mario error, but Luigi buried the last shot for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw Luigi holding the advantage until he disrupted his own defense, allowing Mario to spark a four-ball run-out for the shocking win. Mario took the series 2-1, and will host the Capital City Sharpshooters' Sprinkles in the second round.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Lionel. The blue cue is back for a series of 15-ball this time. Game 1 tested both players' patience, as no long runs developed to get anyone in a rhythm. Golden's Strut had the better of play early, but Commerce's Lionel was in control at the end, making the 15 on his second try after Strut missed a kick attempt. Lionel has a 1-0 series lead with his win. The Tradewinds' Lionel couldn't keep his lucky dominance from the start of game 2, missing on the 15 to gift away a win to the Pilots' Strut as he tapped in the last ball at the bottom right to tie the series at 1 despite not having his best game. Game 3 opened up as it went along, with Strut posting a five-ball run that ended with an illegally potted ball, only to see a pair of three-ball runs by Lionel at the end, giving Lionel the win on the latter of those, which secured for him the 2-1 series win. Lionel will travel to Todavía's Apple Center in the second round, facing Stills captain Easter.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Hoppy v. Bells. It's a Spanish Derby match as a Monarch hosts a Still in 7-ball with the red cue. Game 1 took a bit of time to get interesting, but once the shots clear up, Todavía's Bells charged forward with a four-ball run-out to get the 1-0 series lead over Southern's Hoppy. Game 2 saw a very similar slow start, with both players chasing the 1 for their early shots. The Stills' Bells broke through for a three-ball run eventually, but the Monarchs' Hoppy took the game away with a four-ball run-out on the next turn, tying the series at 1 in what has seen moments of brilliance mixed with extremely sloppy play. Game 3 was much cleaner all around, with the series on the line. Bells made the first two balls, but appeared to lose control to Hoppy. This was a short-lived change, as Hoppy had a miss on her second shot, and Bells ran out four balls to clinch the series at 2-1, sending herself off to Eastside's FedEx Arena to face the Sharks' Taylor in the second round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Panda. The blue cue finishes its 15-ball series in this match between a star and a cellar-dweller. Despite Central's Dustin holding more star power, it was Southern's Panda who bossed game 1, and he ended up with the win despite the prior shooting meaning little by the time he converted a two-rail bank to the top side to go ahead 1-0 in the series. Game 2 saw a balance between the two players, as short runs ruled the day. The game slowed late, as the Monarchs' Panda tried to protect the 15 from where he left it at the bottom right, but the Warriors' Dustin sank it with a deflection off the 13 anyway, tying the series at 1 with his cheeky win. In game 3, Dustin thought he had things under control in a chippy battle, but his late scratch paved the way for Panda to claim the series 2-1 with a four-ball run-out. Panda will travel to face the Pilots' A. Charlton in the second round, at Golden's Amazon Field Exhibition Hall.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Americus v. Hoot. The red cue returns to action, continuing the alternating pattern, with a series of 8-ball. Atlantic's Americus got stopped in fear as she nearly potted the 8 whilst scratching, ruining her game 1 and allowing Viewpoint Sound's Hoot to charge to the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Pirates' Americus turned fear into aggressive play in game 2, using the 8 as a defensive object against the Meteors' Hoot, who was not afraid to tangle a bit himself. Americus would get the win with a definitive four-ball run-out, including a tough cut on the 8 to get the win and tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw a bit of a shaky start on both sides, and then a mirrored finish, as Hoot and Americus exchanged four-ball runs to get onto the 8. Americus missed at the end of her run, giving Hoot his second chance, and he converted to win the game and take the series 2-1. Hoot will play in the second round.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Dreamy v. Niki. The red cue stays at the table now, playing 12-ball in this series. Swordpoint's Dreamy made two balls on the break, only to see her offense evaporate from there. Eastside's Niki took the game by slowly removing her defense and positioning herself well, producing a 1-0 series lead for the visitor. Things were bad from the break in game 2, as both players had cluttered positioning. The Blades' Dreamy held defensive position for a bit, which eroded as the Sharks' Niki gave away a wild-card ball. Dreamy took the offensive and managed to make it work, as Niki couldn't get in position late in the game. Dreamy's ugly win tied the series at 1. Game 3 was a refreshing change of pace, as Dreamy gave up a wild-card ball but also had a three-ball run from the break. Niki answered with a four-ball run, setting herself up for her option shot. Dreamy countered back, but on her second try to finish the game, illegal contact gave it away to Niki, who converted for the win. Niki travels to Oceanside's AT&T Hall in the second round to face the Waves' Caitlin.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Oreo v. Taylor Swift. No lack of star-power here, as a wily Knights veteran takes on the Sharks star in 9-ball with the blue cue. Eastside's Taylor showed some heady shooting in game 1, kicking off the right rail to sink the 2 at the bottom side before converting the 3-9 combination to the top right through traffic for the 1-0 series lead over Terrace City's Oreo. Two of the Sharks' Taylor's four shots in game 2 ended in an error, leaving the Knights' Oreo free to do as she pleased from ball-in-hand. This led Oreo to make a five-ball run the first time and a three-ball run-out on the next turn to get the win, tying the series at 1 with a dominant performance. Game 3 was not a worthy representation of the players, as both struggled under the pressure of the event. Taylor ended up with a sloppy win by banking the 9 hard to the top left, giving her the 2-1 series win. Taylor advances to face Swordpoint Blades rookie Bandit at the Gillette Center in the second round.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Stephanie Livilotti v. Ice Cream. The silver cue finally gets a series today, its last of the round in 7-ball. Southridge's Stephanie enjoyed a perfect start to her career in the event, as she made the 7 on the break to the top left, earning a 1-0 series lead over Commerce's Ice Cream in one shot. Game 2 ended up being pretty competitive, with neither player converting any long runs. The Tradewinds' Ice Cream did have a chance to get the win, but sent the shot toward the top side wide right, allowing the Defenders' Stephanie to tap it in and clinch the series at 2-0. Stephanie felt a bit robbed at the end of game 3, as her four-ball run from the break ended in scratch, and the gritty finish fell for Ice Cream, who struck the 7 to the bottom left to save face. Stephanie still won the series 2-1, and will host Infinity Torpedoes captain Smudge at this venue in the second round.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Spice v. Crystal. It's a meeting of captains in the last afternoon series, also the last 10-ball series for the blue cue this round. Queens' Crystal had a decent game 1, playing well over the middle of the game, but Victoria's Spice came up big in the end, making the 10 on a small cut to take a 1-0 series lead with her win when Crystal couldn't convert. The Spurs' Spice had the majority of possession in game 2, but it didn't mean a thing when the Flames' Crystal allowed her to play again after illegally potting the 8. Spice would miss on the 10 twice, and Crystal converted her second try for the win, tying the series at 1. Spice tried to hold on in game 3, but momentum went against her, and Crystal took the game with a three-ball run-out in the end, taking the series as well at 2-1. Crystal's win takes her to Pacific's Verizon Field Events Center in the second round, where she meets the Volcanoes' Chicky Phil.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Slinks v. Ice Cream. Urban Division rivals meet in a series of 12-ball with the red cue to lead off the night. Game 1 was incredibly frustrating, twice with progress going backwards for both players. Westside's Slinks eventually emerged with a three-ball run-out to get the win over Commerce's Ice Cream, good for a 1-0 series lead and very little patience left for the rest of the series. Game 2 went much better, as the Rockers' Slinks took control early on with good positioning and a nice run. The Tradewinds' Ice Cream helped Slinks more than herself, giving away a wild-card ball, and her last shot was far away from target, allowing Slinks a tap-in to win for the 2-0 series lead. Ice Cream caught a break in game 3, working a four-ball run early, and then answering Slinks' three-ball run with her last two shots to get a win. Slinks took the series 2-1, and she will host Atlantic Pirates rookie Isabella in the second round.
Follow the league on Twitter @UnitedPCL for live updates.
No comments:
Post a Comment