We're set to begin a new week of games. This week and the next should go unhindered, but two weeks from today may experience some delays near the end of the round. Until then, we progress with...
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Shadow. The blue cue gets the start today between big-name captains in 7-ball. Web City's Shadow had a decent outing in game 1, making the bulk of the shots after Commerce's Tigerette scratched on the break and struggled through the rest. Shadow got the win on a three-ball run-out to take a 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Shadow made a good effort in game 2, continuing to dominate possession while the Tradewinds' Tigerette saw her struggles persist. Shadow had another three-ball run-out to pick up the win, making it a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 took a much more even split, as Tigerette grabbed a bit of the play but couldn't quite get the win. Tigerette's late bank on the 7 drifted wide of the bottom left, and Shadow made the tap-in to clinch the series at 3-0 with this win. Shadow dominated in game 4, mostly due to Tigerette scratching at the end after another turn had ended in missed contact. Shadow made the last two balls for the win and a 4-0 series lead. Shadow had a sweep just in his grasp in game 5, but he missed on the 7 after another dominant game, and Tigerette saved face with a tap-in for the win to cut the series to 4-1. Shadow will be on the road again in the bracket quarterfinals.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Dewey v. Smokey. The silver cue will lead off the after lunch session with Rotation. Diamond's Smokey started a bit slow in game 1, allowing Oceanside's Dewey to hold the lead in the first half of the game. In the end, Smokey surged forward with a three-ball run-out for the 8-5 win, ending on a 13-14 combination to the bottom left to earn a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Dewey stayed calm despite falling behind twice in game 2 to a strong charge from the Gems' Smokey. Dewey kept things close at the end, poking the 15 in for the 8-7 win to tie the series at 1 after a narrow miss from Smokey. Game 3 followed a similar pattern as game 1, with Smokey pulling ahead later in the game to block out Dewey. Smokey ended with an 8-5 win, regaining the series lead at 2-1. Dewey held a lead for the majority of game 4's early stages, but faltered later on, allowing Smokey to take over. Smokey nearly managed to close out the game on the 13, but he left it standing, and Dewey made a three-ball run-out, using a spinning kick on the 14 to the bottom side to aid his 8-7 win, which retied the series at 2. Game 5 featured a hotter start out of Dewey than many expected, but he didn't build up the lead enough to win, and Smokey rallied with a five-ball run-out to take the 8-6 result. Smokey won the series 3-2, advancing to the bracket quarterfinals.
Intel Center, Diamond: Pedey v. Shawn. The red cue makes its first appearance today in 9-ball. Diamond's Pedey had a decent game, but it was Midland's Shawn who produced a five-ball run across the middle of the game. Shawn's only fault was not making the 9, and Pedey put it in for the win and a 1-0 lead in the series. The Predators' Shawn fell off his previous pace in game 2, but the Gems' Pedey was far from perfect as well. The whole game was sloppy, with plenty of missed opportunities, and it took two tries before Pedey could convert on the 9 to get the win and a 2-0 series lead. Shawn still came up short on shot quality in game 3, although the share of play between him and Pedey was fairly even at the end. Shawn's miss on the 8 proved to be the critical turn of events, as Pedey made the final two balls for the win, securing the series at 3-0. Shawn saved himself some more embarrassment in game 4, managing to convert the 8-9 combination to the top right after another chippy game against Pedey. Shawn's win in this game made it a 3-1 series favoring Pedey. Game 5 went back to Pedey, as he managed to weather a slight burst from Shawn early on before getting the necessary shots for the win at the end. After this 4-1 series win, Pedey gets to host his series in the bracket quarterfinals.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Sugar v. Misty. The silver cue returns to action for some 10-ball in this series. Harrison's Sugar got the better of Westside's Misty after a very close game 1, as the two players mostly exchanged short runs and clean shots throughout the game. Misty just missed on the 10, leaving it for Sugar to tap in for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Rockers' Misty take a missed contact foul early on, but the Specters' Sugar made a worse mistake later, scratching as she made the 8 after a balanced middle of the game. Misty made the 9 and 10 from ball-in-hand to get the win, tying the very close series at 1. Misty turned the series around in game 3, making a three-ball run from the break and following that with a six-ball run-out on her next turn, the quick win giving her a shocking 2-1 series lead over a stunned Sugar. Misty had a great game 4 as well, continuing to dominate possession with a six-ball run that nearly won her the game. Instead, the 10 hung on the edge of the bottom right for Sugar to tap in, giving Sugar the win and retying the series at 2 with her easy finish. Game 5 brought back the close competition from earlier with the pace of the later games, as Sugar made a four-ball run but missed on the 8, and Misty made a three-ball run-out to snag the win and take the series 3-2. Misty's close victory earns another road trip for her bracket quarterfinals series.
Ebay Center, Queens: Violetta v. Goldy. One of the most capable rookies takes on a superstar in 9-ball with the red cue. Queens' Violetta held her own pretty well in the early parts of game 1, as neither her nor Everton's Goldy could break free. Violetta made a three-ball run that ended with a scratch, but Goldy couldn't make the 9 at the end, and Violetta picked it up for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Eagles' Goldy had a stronger game 2, but neither player was all that confident in their combination attempts on the 9. The Flames' Violetta had the worst of the nerves, leading to Goldy being able to make a three-ball run-out for the win at the end, tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw Goldy play a bit more defense, knowing how effective it has been against Violetta. It worked once more, allowing Goldy to have a distinct advantage. Violetta did get a chance at the 9, but she missed it at the bottom left, and Goldy tapped it in for the 2-1 series lead. Goldy didn't have the same edge to her game in game 4, slipping up on shots she had made before, but Violetta didn't much care how she got her win. Violetta took advantage of Goldy missing on the 9 to pot it herself, tying the series again at 2 despite not having the best of play. Goldy came alive for a big finish in game 5, stunning Violetta with a seven-ball run-out that included a kick on the 7 to the top left before potting the 9 in the top right. Goldy's burst earned the 3-2 series win, and she'll host a bracket quarterfinals series at Chevrolet Center in Everton.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Solaris v. Prism. A hyped rookie takes on the league's best rookie so far in 8-ball with the blue cue. Infinity's Solaris had a jump on game 1 from his pitiful break, as it stalled Stonebridge's Prism a bit more than him. Solaris made a late three-ball run, forcing Prism into a hasty attempt at a run. It failed, and Solaris kicked the 8 into the top left for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Torpedoes' Solaris kept up his offense with a five-ball run early in game 2, but the Wolves' Prism did a good job of defending him from there. Solaris nearly wasted the effort, but Prism rattled her last ball out, and Solaris made his last ball and the 8 to win, taking a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 went a little slower at the start because of Solaris scratching on the break. Prism had a good start, but faltered when she scratched, and things were even at first. Solaris managed to get ahead with a three-ball run that left him with the 8, and Prism couldn't make anything else before Solaris sealed the series at 3-0 by making the 8 for the win. Game 4 went a bit better for Solaris, who controlled the pace of play despite another iffy break. Prism had a brief moment of clarity, but too many paired balls prevented her from making a run, and Solaris ended on a three-ball run-out to move the series to 4-0. Game 5 went in favor of Solaris as well, completing his sweep as he weathered a six-ball run from Prism after having a hot start himself. Solaris will host his bracket quarterfinals series.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Shannon. The red cue is back for a 7-ball series between Coastal Division rivals. Pearl's Boots had the best highlight in game 1 despite trailing Southern's Shannon in possession. Boots banked the 4 and then bumped it to the 6 at the top right for a brilliant combination. Her next turn produced the win, as Shannon left the 7 up and Boots made it to go ahead 1-0 in the series. The Monarchs' Shannon dominated game 2 with a three-ball run, including a 1-3 combination to the bottom right that became a double-pot hit the 6 to the top right. However, the Surfers' Boots had one successful shot, driving the cue off the 2 to pot the 7 in the bottom left for the win, taking a 2-0 series lead with the tricky play. Boots had a clear edge in play quality in game 3, although her break lacked authority. Shannon made a couple of early shots, but she could only watch when Boots unleashed a three-ball run-out at the end for the win, clinching the series at 3-0. Boots left a bit too much on the table in game 4, as her lack of shut-down shooting allowed Shannon to make three of the last four balls in her win, cutting the series to 3-1 in the process after the fortunate leave by Boots on the 7. Game 5 saw Boots do just about everything, piecing together a six-ball run in an excellent first turn. It would be her only turn, as Shannon made the 7 when Boots missed her kick on the ball. Shannon's win made it a 3-2 series win for Boots, who will host her bracket quarterfinals series. Shannon is now the eleventh player eliminated this year, and Boots has first kill of the year.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Leonardo v. Dreamy. The last series before a short break is 8-ball with the red cue. Midland's Leonardo had a desperate game 1, ending it early with a 3-15-4-8 bank combination to the top right that gifted Swordpoint's Dreamy a win she was already well on the way to earning. Dreamy leads the series 1-0 after Leonardo's blundering shot. Game 2 featured a much better effort for the Predators' Leonardo, and that coupled well with a weaker performance from the Blades' Dreamy. Leonardo struggled later in the game, but Dreamy wasn't fast enough to punish him for it, and Leonardo walked away with the win to tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw a good start from Leonardo effectively countered by Dreamy with a four-ball run in the middle of the game. A bit of chippy play ensued before Leonardo collected a four-ball run-out at the end, giving him the win and a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 saw one of Leonardo's worst effort of the series, as he had blatant and point-blank shots fail to go down as Dreamy made a very focused attack. Leonardo eventually made a three-ball run, but Dreamy took the last two balls for the win and tied the series again at 2. Game 5 saw Dreamy break out to a nice lead at first, but it was a battle to the end, with Leonardo pressuring before getting defended against two turns in a row. This defense, both self-inflicted and from Dreamy, allowed Dreamy to get the win and a 3-2 series win. Dreamy will host the Harrison Specters at Gillette Center in Swordpoint in the bracket quarterfinals.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Klaus v. Kiwi. After the break, the silver cue is on for Accuracy between a rookie and a star. Atlantic's Klaus played a perfect game 1, and while Terrace City's Kiwi was good, she had no chance of keeping up with Klaus. The game ended with a score of 0-2, giving Klaus a well-earned 1-0 series lead after the dominant effort. The Knights' Kiwi showed her resilience in game 2, pulling through a bad break by the Pirates' Klaus to keep a good game going. Kiwi only missed once, burying Klaus early on to make it tougher on him. Kiwi held on in the end with a 1-2 win, tying the series at 1. Kiwi did a great job from the break in game 3, burying Klaus immediately under his three straight misses. Kiwi did stumble a bit later in the game, but Klaus had no chance for a comeback, and Kiwi took the win 3-6 to pull ahead 2-1 in the series. In game 4, a pair of poor decisions from Kiwi came back to haunt her. The first was a rookie mistake, making light contact on a shot that went for a miss. Then, at the end, she skipped a tap-in, and would miss her next shot. Klaus forced overtime, and would win within a shot there for the 3-4 result that tied the series at 2. Kiwi performed excellently in a rebound effort in game 5, keeping Klaus at bay near the end with no margin for error. Kiwi emerged with the 1-2 win, clinching the series at 3-2. Kiwi will be on the road for her bracket quarterfinals series.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Hoppy v. Charli XCX. The red cue closes the day with 15-ball in this series. Southern's Hoppy got off to a good start from her game 1 break, making a three-ball run. Tysini's Charli quickly answered, and they would have another quick exchange in the game. Then, Charli's miss on the 8 left the 15 lined up at the bottom side, and Hoppy converted the 9-15 combination two shots later to go ahead 1-0 in the series. Game 2 went even quicker and more favorably for the Monarchs' Hoppy. She made a four-ball run early in the game, and then left the Hummingbirds' Charli defended well. Charli made illegal contact with the 6 while trying to hit the 5, but it didn't matter, as Hoppy made the 5-15 combination without moving the cue, the win putting her ahead 2-0 in the series. Hoppy kept the dominant performances going in game 3, stalling a bit early on but working a four-ball run a turn before she got the win. Charli was pressed into a tough-angle shot and couldn't convert, but Hoppy made the 9 and the 10-15 combination for the win, securing the series at 3-0. Game 4 was clearly Charli's best game of the series. She made a lot of shots to keep even with Hoppy early on, and pulled away with a five-ball run near the end, but the 15 wouldn't fall for her, and Hoppy tapped it in to steal this win and make it a 4-0 series. Hoppy ran out of magic in game 5, as Charli pressed late and got the win, making the last six balls over three turns in a sloppy but effective finish. Hoppy won the series 4-1, and will host her bracket quarterfinals series at this venue.
That's it for today. Tomorrow will hold 40-50 more games as we advance through the round.
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