We'll try for 36 games in 12 series today, but no promises. I'm not feeling all that well. The round should be done by tomorrow night regardless. We begin with...
Google Hall, Modernistic: Strawberry v. Lexi. The red cue will be in line for 8-ball in today's first series. In game 1, Harrison's Lexi had control of the table, ending on a four-ball run-out after a good start. Modernistic's Strawberry had made it a close game, but Lexi answered back swiftly to get the 1-0 series lead with her win. In game 2, the Specters' Lexi nearly ran the table from the break, piecing together a seven-ball run with an extra ball potted for the Union's Strawberry. Strawberry opted to build a defense, which Lexi took out as collateral damage on her next turn. Strawberry made sure it was her last, as the host pulled off a six-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 was a tough battle, as Strawberry started well but Lexi refused to back off. In the end, Strawberry's missed bank on the 8 at the bottom right cost her, with Lexi making a three-ball run-out for the win and a 2-1 series win.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Twinkie II. Two very sturdy and determined players square off in 7-ball with the blue cue. Harrison's Twinkie II needed only two shots after an empty break for Lighton's Acorn in game 1. Twinkie II made the 1 on a firm shot, and then a kick-bank combination of the 2-7 went all the way back across the table, with the 7 glancing off the 2 into the top right for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Twinkie II deserved better than a game 2 loss, as she made a four-ball run early on and made everything but the 7. The Prestige's Acorn had the honors for that shot, cutting it to the bottom left to steal the win and tie the series at 1. Twinkie II flipped the script in game 3, as Acorn was responsible for the majority of the offense, but Twinkie II had the last shot on the 7 and buried it well, winning the series 2-1. Twinkie II will head home to Mercedes-Benz Forum, hosting the Atlantic Pirates' Americus in the bracket final.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Ted v. Shannon. A rookie and outgoing veteran meet in Rotation with the red cue. Web City's Ted started with a three-ball run in game 1, but a scratch after that opened things up for Southern's Shannon to make a six-ball run. Ted never regained his form, and another scratch allowed Shannon to make two shots for the 8-3 win and a 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Ted had another early burst for a lead, but the Monarchs' Shannon slowly replied to take the lead. Ted would get another three-ball run before things got tense, and they went back and forth to the end, with Shannon prevailing 8-7 by making the last two balls to secure the series at 2-0. Shannon made a late run in game 3, nearly beating Ted, but he tied it with a three-ball run, and then made the 15 on his next turn for the 8-7 win, saving face as Shannon only wins the series 2-1.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Starlight. The league's top performer of the round begins a home doubleheader against a superstar, playing 15-ball with the red cue in this series. The Volcanoes' Starlight capitalized late in game 1 after a slow start, answering a six-ball run by Freedom's Nikolai with the last two balls he didn't get a chance to make. Starlight's sneaky win gave her a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, Starlight seemed prepared to make a deep run, but a couple of scratches derailed the game for the Volcanoes' superstar. The second of those scratches gave the Cascades' Nikolai exactly what he wanted, a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series 1. Nikolai had a big run of five balls from the break, but his second turn ended abruptly with a stick infraction. Starlight took over from here, making a four-ball run before leaving the 15 in a bad spot. Nikolai missed contact while trying to make it, and Starlight took it from ball-in-hand, earning the win and a 2-1 series win. Starlight will travel to Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center to face the Swifts' Puff II in the bracket final.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Blizzard. A weaker opponent greets the host the in 12-ball with the silver cue for the second half of the doubleheader. Freedom's Nikolai had a chaotic break in game 1, making two of his own in the same pocket and a wild-card ball for Everton's Blizzard. Blizzard wasn't able to get aligned, and Nikolai took the game from ball-in-hand after Blizzard made illegal contact. Nikolai's win puts him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Cascades' Nikolai couldn't get away with giving the Eagles' Blizzard a wild-card ball to start game 2. Nikolai had a four-ball run early on, but went stagnant from there, and Blizzard made him pay by making all five remaining balls in two turns for the win, tying the series at 1. Scratches marred an otherwise wonderful game 3, ruining Nikolai's momentum before providing an additional challenge to Blizzard. In the end, Nikolai got set for his final shot but it never came, as Blizzard's risky shot paid off and she got the win for a 2-1 series win. Blizzard will be on the road in the bracket final.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Rainmane v. Midnight. Two of the league's toughest players meet in 9-ball with the red cue. Westside's Midnight had the final say in game 1, countering a three-ball run from Midland's Rainmane that left both the 8 and 9 close to pockets with tap-ins to give Midnight the 1-0 series lead on a pair of easy shots. The Predators' Rainmane fired back in game 2, watching the Rockers' Midnight rip a five-ball run only to take a soft miss on the 8. Rainmane made the final two shots with authority to get the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 went very quickly, as Rainmane made a ball on the break but missed on the 1, sparking a tremendous eight-ball run-out for Midnight. The farther it got, the crazier it was, as her shot on the 6 was from distance after a near-scratch, and her shot on the 9 accidentally became a bank shot to the bottom right for the win and a 2-1 series win. Midnight heads to Archtown's Starbucks Arena in the bracket final, facing the Arrows' Sally.
Intel Center, Diamond: Pedey v. Snowball. A sophomore sensation meets the B-level's best in Accuracy with the silver cue. Things did not start well in game 1 for Diamond's Pedey, and it appeared Swordpoint's Snowball was in control. Snowball went into a late tailspin, missing her last four shots as Pedey dominated late for a 3-4 win to give the host a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 went perfectly until there were five balls left, when the Blades' Snowball had her first miss of the game. She put the Gems' Pedey into a tough position a couple of times, but he came out of the game without a miss, winning 0-2 after Snowball botched another late shot. Pedey clinched the series at 2-0 with his win. Game 3 went much more poorly for Pedey, who had a brief tie with Snowball after his first miss but he then collapsed, allowing Snowball to scoop up a 1-4 win. Pedey still took the series 2-1, and will face Twilight, the Central Warriors captain who knocked out Pedey's mentor, in the bracket final at this venue.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Wario v. Chris. We'll continue with Accuracy but this series is with the red cue. The Southwestern rivals got off to a lopsided start, as a bad break from Victoria's Wario actually benefited him greatly, causing many misses for Capital City's Chris, to the tune of a 1-5 win for Wario, with the non-threatening game earning the host a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Chris came out flat again in game 2, hardly making anything early on. He stabilized in the middle of the game, and even pressured the Spurs' Wario into a few later misses. Wario did what he could to leave an insurance option, and the second time worked, as Chris was forced to leave a tap-in for the last shot by Wario, which he made for a 3-4 win. Wario clinched the series at 2-0 after gritting his teeth through the end of the game. Wario had another poor break in game 3, and this one would prove costly, as Chris controlled most of the game and ended up winning 3-5 when Wario couldn't settle his shot at all. Wario still won the series 2-1, and will host the Freedom Cascades' Stinky at this venue in the bracket final.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Daisy v. Bianca. The red cue stays at the table to administer an 8-ball series between rookies. Southridge's Bianca answered a five-ball run from Modernistic's Daisy in game 1 with a five-ball run-out, as Bianca use precision shooting to take the win after briefly falling far behind. Bianca leads the series 1-0 with the strong comeback win. Game 2 saw the Defenders' Bianca produce a spectacular break and a four-ball run from it, but her offense melted from there. The Union's Daisy responded with a three-ball run immediately thereafter, and closed the game on a four-ball run-out after Bianca couldn't corral the 8. Daisy's win tied the series at 1 in what's been a competitive pair of games so far. Daisy had the run of play in game 3 after a poor decision for Bianca ended up in a scratch. Daisy thought she had the game won, but she was off the mark on the 8, which went illegally into an uncalled pocket and gave Bianca the win and the 2-1 series win. Bianca's lucky victory propels her to Harrison's Mercedes-Benz Forum, where she faces the Specters' Lexi in the bracket final.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Rainmane. Two of the league's best of this tier face off in 8-ball with the blue cue. Midland's Rainmane let her early four-ball run do the talking in game 1, as Freedom's Nikolai made some progress but couldn't catch up to Rainmane. She would end by making her last two shots on clean mid-range shots for a 1-0 series lead with the win. The Cascades' Nikolai replied with a game 2 shutout, an epic run of play with a six-ball run at the start after the Predators' Rainmane went empty on the break, followed by the final pair of shots with good positioning. Nikolai's win tied the series at 1. Nikolai started well with a three-ball run on the break, but Rainmane had the defensive positioning, and she milked a five-ball run before breaking free later in the game to get the win after Nikolai missed on the 5. Rainmane took the series 2-1, and will travel one more time to Samsung Arena in Whitewater for the bracket final against the Shores' Marsell.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Hoppy v. Potter. The silver cue is up for a series of 12-ball here. Southern's Hoppy had a three-ball run from the break, but at the cost of a wild-card ball, which greatly helped Pronger's Potter make a four-ball run with an option shot left. Hoppy played defense for a bit, but this broke when she made her second-to-last ball, and Potter made his final shot to get the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Potter had a three-ball run from the break, and also gave away a wild-card ball to the Monarchs' Hoppy, who proceeded to do very little with it. Potter took advantage of the minimal resistance, winning the game two turns later after Hoppy's feeble defensive shot failed, and Potter clinched the series at 2-0. In game 3, Hoppy turned out with a five-ball run that was nearly a clean sweep after Potter's empty break. Potter shot back with a three-ball run and defense, but Hoppy got around the defense to win in two turns. Potter won the series 2-1, and will host the Everton Eagles' Blizzard back home at Ford Forum in Pronger in the bracket final.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Delila v. Sleepy B. The Pirates captain takes on the Arrows veteran in Rotation with the blue cue. Atlantic's Delila got out to a big lead early on, but Archtown's Sleepy B. covered the deficit at one point in the game. Delila made sure she'd win with her second run, ending the game at 8-4 with a four-ball run-out to take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 went a bit differently, as the Pirates' Delila was unable to avoid erring early on, and this allowed the Arrows' Sleepy B. to build up a nice lead. Delila made progress to challenge Sleepy B. later in the game, but while she got close, Sleepy B. fired back until she had an 8-6 win to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Delila had everything after the break, which saw Sleepy B. make a ball but nothing more. Delila answered with a six-ball run later, and then closed with a shot on the 8 to the bottom right to win the series 2-1 and the game 8-1. Delila will host the Todavía Stills' Sierra in the bracket final at this venue.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Caitlin v. Twilight. Two bigger names in the league clash in 10-ball with the silver cue. Oceanside's Caitlin didn't have the greatest game 1, but Central's Twilight was unable to challenge the defensive leaves Caitlin produced. This allowed Caitlin to be patient, and she was until she made her three-ball run-out for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Caitlin scratched on the break in game 2, and while the Warriors' Twilight started well, she quickly unsettled herself in the game. Twilight was unable to hold onto her advantage, and Caitlin chipped her way back into the game until she made the 8-10 combination to the bottom right for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Game 3 was nightmarish for both sides, particularly around the middle of the game. Neither player made much of a move on the 4, and by the end, Twilight was just happy to get a clear look at the 10 to take the win. Caitlin won the series 2-1 and hosts the Web City Spiders' Shadow in the bracket final at this venue.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Dominic. The blue cue is up for Accuracy in this series. Commerce's Tigerette came to regret her scratch on the break of game 1, particularly during a chaotic spate of misses in the middle of the game. Viewpoint Sound's Dominic came out ahead and held the lead to the end, winning 2-3 because of that initial scratch to go ahead 1-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Tigerette exercised a bit more control in game 2, and it was the Meteors' Dominic who fell behind early. Dominic tried to keep pace with Tigerette, but the 3-4 score only materialized because Tigerette missed on her last shot. Dominic didn't stand a chance, allowing Tigerette to tie the series at 1. Tigerette made the most of her chance in game 3, with a great break leading to a very fast-paced game. Eventually, Dominic fell off the pace, and he collapsed at the end, with Tigerette's only blemish a late miss to make it a 1-5 final. Tigerette took the series 2-1 to advance to the bracket final, which will be played here against the Westside Rockers' Midnight, a division rival.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Rainmane v. A. Charlton. The final series before the afternoon break is 15-ball with the blue cue, its last of the round. Game 1 was a tight battle between the players. Each opened with a four-ball run, and things got a little chippier at the end. Midland's Rainmane thought she would be closing the game out, but missed on the 14, and Golden's Charlton made the last two shots to take the win and a 1-0 series lead instead. The Pilots' Charlton turned dominant in game 2, making a four-ball run and then watching the Predators' Rainmane again cut a good run opportunity short. Charlton iced the game on a three-ball run-out after this, securing the series at 2-0. Rainmane finally got it right at the end of game 3, staving off a mid-game attack from Charlton before turning out with a five-ball run-out for the win. Charlton took the series 2-1, and will head home to Amazon Field Exhibition Hall in Golden to host the Todavía Stills' Easter in the bracket final.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Bianca v. Stealth. The games return with 10-ball and the red cue. Southridge's Bianca got lucky in game 1, as Swordpoint's Stealth had a scratch after making the 8 in a game he had enjoyed the better of possession in. Stealth's error allowed Bianca to make the 10 from ball-in-hand for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Bianca did it all in game 2, opening with a four-ball run, including two on the break, and then getting another four-ball run with a double-pot on the 4 and 6 to the right corners. The end took awhile, but the Blades' Stealth made very little in the way of a good shot, and Bianca would bank the 9 and 10 to opposite side pockets for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Stealth was much better in game 3, pacing his attack with a five-ball run. Bianca did get a chance at the 10, but rattled it out, and Stealth sank it for the win. Bianca won the series 2-1, and will host the bracket final at this venue, with her opponent to be determined soon.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Wario v. Zach. Two inexperienced players make up the other red cue series in 10-ball. Victoria's Wario had a better start to game 1, but Pronger's Zach was undeterred, rallying with a six-ball run-out in the end, using excellent positioning skills to pick up the win and the 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Zach didn't dominate in game 2, staying fairly even with the Spurs' Wario early on. Wario did better in the middle of the game, and seemed set for a deep run when he missed a shot. Zach answered with a three-ball run-out to get the win, clinching the series at 2-0 as well. In game 3, it appeared Wario was again very prepared, making a five-ball run over the middle of the game, but Zach once again thwarted the effort by making the last two shots for the win. Zach swept the series 3-0, earning a trip to GE Stadium Events Center in Southridge to face the Defenders' Bianca in the bracket final.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Brownie. A potential mismatch is up in Rotation with the silver cue. Central's Twilight asserted herself right from the break, making it clear that Tysini's Brownie would find very little happiness in game 1. Twilight took the lead and added short runs throughout that Brownie had no response for in an 8-0 game that gave Twilight the 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Twilight got off to a similar start in game 2, but the Hummingbirds' Brownie changed things up quickly, making a four-ball run to tie the game and then another short run to take the lead. Twilight managed to retie the game near the end, but Brownie made the 15 to win 8-7 and tie the series at 1 game apiece. Twilight built up a near untouchable lead in game 3 after Brownie struck first, but Brownie did not back down, rallying to tie the game and then earn the 8-6 win for a 2-1 series win. Brownie will head home to Cisco Arena in Tysini, facing her teammate and captain Princess in the bracket final, with Brownie as the acting host.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Lionel v. Bright. The red cue gets a crack at Rotation now between these Brute Force club-mates. North Modernistic's Bright fell behind early to Commerce's Lionel, who was cruising until a scratch. Bright rallied back with a four-ball run to tie the game, and then chipped ahead for an 8-6 win and 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Tradewinds' Lionel again took the early lead, and while the Nighthawks' Bright did draw even around the middle of the game, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Lionel's second attack, which saw him make two pairs of balls two turns apart to get the 8-4 win to tie the series at 1. Lionel fell behind to Bright twice in game 3, but he wouldn't stay down either time, rallying in the end with a five-ball run-out to stun Bright as Lionel claimed the 8-5 win for a 2-1 series win. Lionel will host the Southern Monarchs' Shannon at this venue for the bracket final.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Chris v. Violetta. The final series of the round and of today's 20-series effort is in 7-ball with the silver cue. Capital City's Chris played a decent game 1, but his late run was foiled by a long-distance miss on the 7, which left Queens' Violetta in perfect position to make the shot. She did so, earning a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was also competitive, but nothing from the early stages of the game mattered when each player missed on the 7 twice. It was the Sharpshooters' Chris who missed while leaving the cue nearby, allowing the Flames' Violetta to make it on her third try, which allowed her to clinch the series at 2-0 with the win. Chris pulled off a three-ball run-out in a much stronger game 3, earning him a win and sending Violetta to a 2-1 series win to advance with. Violetta will head to McDonald's Hall in Atlantic to face the Pirates' Klaus in a battle of rookies for this bracket final.
The current plan is to split the Bracket Finals into two days, take Saturday off, and then complete the B-level Finals on Sunday, both stages. Follow the league on Twitter @UnitedPCL for more updates, a standings update, and the new schedule, due by tomorrow at noon.
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