We begin another slate of games today with...
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Kiwi v. Chelsea. Captains collide in 8-ball as the silver cue will get the day started. Terrace City's Kiwi needed a bit of open space in game 1 before she could build a run, coming from behind with a five-ball run-out to take a 1-0 series lead over a strong-performing Chelsea of Eastside, who had leveled off a bit early. In game 2, the Sharks' Chelsea had a four-ball run matched by the Knights' Kiwi, but Chelsea's three-ball run and close leave on the 8 would send her ahead after Kiwi scratched. Chelsea got the critical win, tying the series at 1 with a tap-in at the top right to sink the 8. Game 3 went much the same, although delayed by a turn after a rocky start. Chelsea ripped a seven-ball run to get herself close, but Kiwi kept the game in range with a five-ball run of her own. Kiwi couldn't hold her defenses, and Chelsea broke through in two turns to win and take the series 2-1. Chelsea advances to the bracket semifinals.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Slinks v. Isabella. A veteran quite comfortable in her new home takes on a rookie in 12-ball with the red cue. Westside's Slinks asserted herself in game 1 by making a ball on the break, and when Atlantic's Isabella gave away a wild-card ball, Slinks adjusted well. Slinks closed with a three-ball run-out, picking off her defenses last to take the 1-0 series lead easily. Game 2 was not going well for the Rockers' Slinks, who found herself out of position against heavy defenses from the Pirates' Isabella. Things changed at the end, when Isabella nullified her win with a scratch, returning a wild-card ball, and Slinks make the last shot from the kitchen to seal the series at 2-0. Game 3 could have been better for Isabella, but some rookie scratching issues kept her behind Slinks, who had a ridiculously fortunate masse shot help her near the end. Slinks eventually made the last two balls cleanly to secure the 3-0 series sweep, ensuring that she will host a bracket semifinal.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Nibbles v. Nikolai. A rookie takes on a sophomore in 15-ball with the red cue. Viewpoint Sound's Nibbles had a few struggles with shot placement and contact in game 1, most of which led to Freedom's Nikolai making a ball or two. This didn't factor in at the end, but Nikolai took the win when Nibbles couldn't complete a run, and Nikolai made the last two balls to go ahead 1-0 in the series. Game 2 saw a more confident run of play from the Meteors' Nibbles, who dazzled with a through-traffic shot on the 1, kicked to the top right. He and the Cascades' Nikolai exchanged impressive turns for awhile, until a scratch by Nikolai on the 10 allowed Nibbles to make the 10-15 combination at the top right for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 proved to be a stunner, as Nikolai had two separate six-ball runs, one ending in a scratch and the other rattling the 15 out of the bottom left pocket, leaving Nibbles a chance. Nibbles did make the 15, but scratched at the end, gifting the win to Nikolai in his 2-1 series win. The thrilling finish sees Nikolai set to host the Pacific Volcanoes' Starlight in the bracket semifinal at Toyota Arena in Freedom.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Spice v. Paps. The silver cue gets a crack at 15-ball in a series hoping to be as exciting as the last. Victoria's Spice had some trouble in game 1, unable to pinpoint her shot very well. While also struggling, Eastside's Paps was a bit more confident and lucky, as evidenced by him making the last two shots of the game for the win and a 1-0 series lead despite the poor shots themselves. In game 2, the Sharks' Paps saw a slow start allow the Spurs' Spice to carve out a niche, but she couldn't hold on, and Paps was back to being in control at the end. Spice had a four-ball run late end with a miss, and then she missed on the 14, setting Paps up to win on the final two shots for a 2-0 series lead. Paps brought game 3 to a sudden end, making the 15 on a deflection from the 5 to the top right for the win, giving him a 3-0 series win over Spice. Paps will head home to FedEx Arena in the bracket semifinals, hosting Twinkie I of the Lighton Prestige.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Klaus v. Diddley. A rookie who has performed well meets a sturdy veteran in 7-ball, also with the silver cue. Atlantic's Klaus saw his four-ball run mean nothing at the end of game 1, as he missed the 7, allowing Maplewood's Diddley his redemptive second chance to get the win. Diddley complied, making it a 1-0 series with his win. Game 2 went well initially for the Pirates' Klaus, but tensions rose as the 6 proved difficult to corral. The Lumberjacks' Diddley lost his cool a bit, nothing outrageous, as he struggled with it, but Klaus would come through on a tough shot on the 7, tying the series at 1 with the sloppy win. This proved critical, as Klaus would benefit by making the 7 on the break in game 3, as it rolled very late to deflect off the 1 and into the top side. This gave Klaus a 2-1 series win over Diddley, sending Klaus to the bracket semifinals.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: A. Charlton v. Panda. The blue gets its first series of the day in 15-ball. Golden's Charlton had the better runs in game 1, although Southern's Panda held his own well early on before a late collapse after a decent chance at the 15. Charlton made the final ball on her second try, grabbing the win and a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Pilots' Charlton had a clear grasp on the game, as the Monarchs' Panda was responsible for most of the illegal contact plays. Charlton used this advantage well, and when Panda was getting close, he had a failed jump, allowing Charlton to take over and win, clinching the series at 2-0. In game 3, Charlton held the advantage again in a smoother game, which saw Panda get a few more shots in. Charlton won the game on a four-ball run-out, securing her 3-0 series sweep. Charlton will be on the road in the bracket semifinals.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Slinks v. Tigerette. A marquee matchup in the Urban Division is next, with the blue cue staying up for Accuracy. Commerce's Tigerette was not going to lose game 1, never missing a shot. Westside's Slinks performed admirably in trying to keep up, but would end up losing 0-2 as Tigerette took the 1-0 series lead in a dominant and only sometimes lucky effort. Game 2 went deep into overtime, as the Tradewinds' Tigerette went from perfect to mess in just four shots, with a final-shot scratch forcing the overtime. The Rockers' Slinks gambled on a close-range blast break, and this led to nothing, but Tigerette also missed, setting off a long run that ended when Slinks missed a cut and Tigerette went straight-on for the 5-6 win to make it a 2-0 series lead. Tigerette couldn't recapture the magic in game 3, falling behind early before eventually losing 1-4 to Slinks. This made it only 2-1 in the series, but Tigerette advances to the bracket semifinals, which she will host at Nike Field Events Center in Commerce.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dominic v. Princess. The last series before the break features a journeyman against a superstar in Rotation with the silver cue. Viewpoint Sound's Dominic surprised with a four-ball run early on in game 1, pacing his attack. Tysini's Princess charged back on a five-ball run to tie the game, but a scratch allowed Dominic to ice the game at 8-6 in the win, putting him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Hummingbirds' Princess didn't break in game 2, standing up for herself with a five-ball run that put the Meteors' Dominic in an early hole. He was unable to dig out of this, and Princess ended with a wicked kick-bank on the 8 to make it an 8-1 win for herself that tied the series at 1. Princess made a ball on the break in game 3, giving her the early momentum, and she kept it up long enough to get the win at 8-3, securing the series at 2-1 over Dominic. Princess will play in the bracket semifinals.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Strawberry v. Wario. After the break, the red cue is up for Accuracy in the next series. Victoria's Wario had to be nearly perfect to keep up with Modernistic's Strawberry early on, as neither missed a shot for most of the game. They fell into a tie again late, but Strawberry missed near the end, and Wario held on for a 1-2 win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was a much different look for both players, featuring the Union's Strawberry stumbling to an early deficit, only for the Spurs' Wario to follow. The ending of the game was still close, but Strawberry's late miss proved costly, and Wario took the sloppy 5-6 win to secure the series at 2-0. Wario nearly maintained a perfect game 3, but Strawberry's late positioning caused him to miss on his final shot resulting in a 1-3 win over Strawberry. Wario completed the 3-0 series sweep, and will host a bracket semifinals series.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Dustin v. Jasmine. The silver cue gets a turn in 9-ball at the start of a venue doubleheader in Central. Game 1 was a sloppy affair, as neither player had a meaningful run to their credit. Freedom's Jasmine had the game in her hands and fumbled it, missing the 9 from easy range, allowing Central's Dustin a tap-in to take the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Dustin made game 2 significantly quicker, blasting the 9 to the bottom right straight from the break to secure the series at 2-0, with the rare play stunning the Cascades' Jasmine on her swift expulsion from contention. Dustin had the better of play in a fairly average game 3, working possession and position to defeat Jasmine again as he pulled off the 3-0 series sweep. Dustin will be on the road when he plays in the bracket semifinals after an impressive round here.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Isabella. In the second series of the doubleheader, the Warriors captain takes on a Pirates rookie in Rotation with the silver cue. Central's Twilight took an early lead on a three-ball run, and Atlantic's Isabella too frequently found herself snookered, unable to challenge in what became an 8-1 win for Twilight, who took a 1-0 series lead with the game. The Pirates' Isabella made a big change in game 2, answering the Warriors' Twilight's opening run with a better one. Isabella carried the early lead and built it up, nearly ceding ground to Twilight throughout the game but holding her own as Twilight also showed a propensity for errors. Isabella eventually picked up the win at 8-4, tying the series at 1. Twilight followed the same script in game 3, as each player had a scratch that potentially cost them a game-ending run, but Twilight was able to recover to make two final shots in an 8-4 win. Twilight took the series 2-1, and she will host a bracket semifinal at this venue.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Lexi v. Violetta. The silver cue gets another Rotation series in the Northeast. Queens' Violetta had a strong start to game 1, but persistent Lexi of Harrison stayed with her initially, and then pushed with a four-ball run-out to nab the 8-3 win and a 1-0 series lead for herself, a good result for the host. The Specters' Lexi started off well in game 2 and never let the lead go, even as the Flames' Violetta assembled an early counterattack. Lexi was strong in the middle of the game, and would have ended sooner had the 14 not blocked the 8. This eventually caused problems for Violetta, allowing Lexi a game-ending 8-14 combination to make it 8-3 again, extending her series lead to 2-0. Violetta saved face pretty well in game 3, charging her way to an 8-1 victory that made it only a 2-1 series win for Lexi. The Specters' Lexi will remain here for the bracket semifinals, hosting the Tysini Hummingbirds captain Princess.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Smudge v. Leandra. In the southwest, the game is 12-ball and the cue is blue for this rivalry series between star players. Infinity's Smudge made one of each on the game 1 break, giving Tysini's Leandra a wild-card ball she'd soon return. This ended up costing her the game, as Smudge had little trouble getting set, and Leandra was out of position when Smudge made her last ball for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Hummingbirds' Leandra threw everything she had defensively at the bottom left pocket, which was the last the Torpedoes' Smudge needed in game 2. Still, Smudge broke through, right after Leandra had to disperse the defense to make an ill-fated late run. Smudge tapped home her last shot on the next turn, securing the series at 2-0. Smudge made game 3 look like she was trying a solo effort, doing more to help Leandra by setting up two of her shots and giving away a wild-card ball. Leandra cashed in all at once with a five-ball run-out to get the win. Smudge took the series 2-1, and will host her bracket semifinal series.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Jennifer Livilotti v. Violetta. The Flames' rookie gets another chance, playing 7-ball with the silver cue against a rising star. Queens' Violetta was unable to take advantage of her own set-up work, as her miss on the 3 led Terrace City's Jennifer to a four-ball run-out, giving the host the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Violetta made only one ball in game 2, but as the Knights' Jennifer watched on, her four-ball run from the break went to waste as Violetta potted the 7 in the top left. Jennifer had previously missed the same shot, making it all the harder to see Violetta convert to tie the series at 1 with her win. Jennifer thought she had game 3 under control as well, but Violetta was a tough out, and Violetta actually took the game when Jennifer missed on the 7. Violetta's poaching skills at the end gave her a 2-1 series win, and she'll play in the bracket semifinals.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Bianca v. Niki. The red cue is in action for 8-ball in this series. Southridge's Bianca faced little resistance from Eastside's Niki in game 1, charging to the win paced by an early four-ball run and regular contributions thereafter. Bianca's win gave her a 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Bianca started game 2 with a four-ball run followed by a three-ball run, putting the Sharks' Niki on the verge of getting shut out. Niki responded almost immediately, making six balls on her next two turns, but her last miss left Bianca lined up on the 8, which she made to clinch the series at 2-0. Bianca was dissatisfied with her game 3 break, and for good reason, as Niki dominated the game, including a game-ending five-ball run-out that saw Niki snag away a win. Bianca still took the series 2-1, and she'll advance to a road series in the bracket semifinals.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Zach v. Midnight. A new Trident will face a veteran Rocker in the last series of the day, 10-ball with the red cue. Westside's Midnight had to hold on a difficult start to the game, as the play was stagnant before Pronger's Zach ripped a four-ball run ending in a scratch. Midnight replied with a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand to grab the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Zach had an aggressive response in game 2, calling a deflection off the 2 into an 8-10 combination to the top right that stunningly fell, giving him a win to tie the series at 1 with the Rockers' Midnight. Game 3 was played at a fast pace, with Midnight holding the edge in possession, but losing control with an illegally potted ball early on and a miss on the 8 to end her four-ball run. Zach picked up the scraps well, taking the win for a 2-1 series win. Zach will be on the road when he plays in the bracket semifinals.
That's all for a longer day today. We'll be back, aiming for the same amount of games tomorrow despite its negative impact on cricket.
No comments:
Post a Comment