Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shiny v. Nicole. The silver cue gets the first series today, playing Accuracy. Web City's Shiny put in a great effort in game 1, going nearly perfect throughout. Capital City's Nicole had a rockier start, and with Shiny shooting so well, she couldn't recover. Shiny would scratch late to ruin perfection, but she won 1-4 to take a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Nicole did better in game 2, getting a chance to pace the game when the Spiders' Shiny had an early miss. Nicole did well, although the result was still in question until one more late miss by Shiny allowed Nicole to take the game 2-4 to tie the series at 1. Nicole continued a similar playing style and pace into game 3, where she made her shots pretty well at first. Shiny had a bit more trouble, and Nicole carried a lead late before an unnecessary but harmless defensive play. This annoyed Shiny, who missed the last ball, giving Nicole another 2-4 win and the series lead at 2-1. Shiny did better in game 4, holding a lead for most of the battle before a late miss would force overtime. Nicole had the overtime break at short range, and while she made a ball, she also scratched, and Shiny easily potted a ball from ball-in-hand for a 2-3 win to tie the series at 2. Shiny tried to keep up at first in game 5, even holding the initial lead, but a spattering of misses, along with a double-pot and a scratch on the same shot, doomed her ability to stay competitive, as Nicole would claim a 1-4 win and the 3-2 series win. Nicole will be on the road for her bracket semifinals series.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Nicole v. Citrus. The red cue gets a start now, completing a player doubleheader in 7-ball. Capital City's Nicole got off to a splendid start in game 1, cranking out a three-ball break, with the 2 in the bottom right, the 5 in the bottom side, and the winning 7 in the bottom left for the win and a 1-0 series lead over a stunned Citrus of Diamond. The Sharpshooters' Nicole wasn't bad in the run of play either, making a good share of the shots in game 2, including a late three-ball run. Her cut on the 7 just didn't quite fall, allowing the Gems' Citrus to tap-it in for a poached win, which tied the series at 1 game apiece. Citrus had a lot of the early offense in game 3, making a three-ball run to establish herself. She went cold after this, and Nicole struck with a pair of shots before a lull. Nicole would break the slow stretch with her 6-7 combination to the top left for the win that gave her a 2-1 series lead. Nicole again held more of the offense in game 4, picking up a three-ball run at one point. Citrus seemed content to wait for the right moment to attack, but she couldn't convert on the 7 when the chance came, and Nicole made it on her second try to get the win, clinching the series at 3-1. Citrus actually had a dominant game 5, making a four-ball run and adding the 5 later, but her 6-7 combination failed, and Nicole took each of those balls individually to earn the win and a 4-1 series win. Nicole will be the host in this bracket semifinals appearance.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Misty. The silver cue is back for this series of 10-ball between star captains. Pacific's Starlight had a good break in game 1, but not as good as Westside's Misty on her first and only turn, where she ran the table, including two incredible combinations. The first was the 1-2 off the 4 and into the top right, and the second was a double-pot of the 1 off the 4 to the top right and the 7 to the bottom right. Misty's incredible play, the second such run in two days, gave her a 1-0 series lead. The Rockers' Misty kept up the pace with a three-ball run from the break in game 2, but the Volcanoes' Starlight shot back with her own three-ball run. The game would be decided late, with Misty making three of the last four balls for the win and the 2-0 series lead. Misty had most of the early offense, but scratched as she made the 4 in game 3, giving Starlight ball-in-hand. Starlight failed to play the current shot, missing the 5 once and then scratching on her second try, giving Misty ball-in-hand on the 6-10 combination, which she made to the top right to secure the series at 3-0. Starlight showed much more poise in game 4, with nothing on the line, but Misty still made quite a few of the shots. Starlight cashed in one of Misty's misses at the end, banking the 10 to the bottom side for the win to cut the series to 3-1 with a classic finish. Game 5 saw both players try more experimental and creative shots, although Misty still had a good share of possession and ended up with the win as Starlight couldn't quite wrangle the 10. Misty won the series 4-1, and heads to Infinity's Nissan Hall for a bracket semifinals series with the Torpedoes' Mr. Snowman.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Whiskers. The red cue is back after lunch for a series of Rotation. Freedom's Stinky built up a nice lead in game 1, starting with a shot on the break and a later three-ball run. Infinity's Whiskers kept it interesting right up to a contentious end, where she tied the game after Stinky faltered, but Whiskers couldn't get the 15. Stinky made it instead for an 8-7 win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Stinky again held an early lead amid rising tensions in game 2. His start was soon offset by a rough middle of the game, which saw the Torpedoes' Whiskers totter out to a small lead, only to have Stinky come back and get the win over two late turns for an 8-6 result. Stinky holds a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 saw a bit more tension, although not as obvious as before, with Stinky leading and Whiskers battling in close range throughout the game. Stinky never had a large lead, and Whiskers nearly won it at the end, but her miss on the 15 allowed Stinky to take the game 8-7 and the series at 3-0. Game 4 featured Stinky's most decisive victory of the series, as he and Whiskers battled early, until Whiskers had a short run to take the lead. Stinky fired back with a six-ball run-out to get the win at 8-4, moving to a 4-0 lead in the series. Stinky had a lead for a good part of game 5 as well, but he couldn't sustain it at the end against a persistent attack from Whiskers, who capitalized on Stinky's late scratch to make the last two balls for her 8-7 win. Stinky won the series 4-1, and advances to a road series in the bracket semifinals. Stinky got his first kill of the year this time, as Whiskers is the 62nd player to be eliminated from the Tournament.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Jennifer Livilotti. The silver cue gets another look in 8-ball in this Urban Divisional. Commerce's Tigerette made a ball on the break in game 1, but she didn't have much else to be happy about, as Terrace City's Jennifer chipped her way back into the game slowly, ending on a three-ball run-out after Tigerette couldn't slow her down. Jennifer leads the series 1-0. The Knights' Jennifer had a four-ball run from the break in game 2, but her offense dropped off from here. The Tradewinds' Tigerette enjoyed the extra space on the table, but she would take a loss when she scratched on the 8 to cap a five-ball run on a sour note. The illegally potted 8 gave Jennifer the win and a 2-0 series lead. Tigerette stayed on course a bit better in game 3, forcing Jennifer to take a defensive role. This worked to frustrate Tigerette, and Jennifer eventually made a three-ball run to get onto the 8. Tigerette then took up defense, and held off Jennifer, who didn't help her own cause with a bad miss. Tigerette went on to win with a three-ball run-out, cutting the series to 2-1. Tigerette had an interesting strategy in game 4, accidentally putting the 8 near the top left for much of the game. This had a chilling effect on offense, especially as Jennifer had a ball pinned in the assembled cluster. Tigerette had the first chance to get a shot on it, but it was her second shot toward the mess that tapped in the 8, after Jennifer had strategically scratched to avoid it. Jennifer secured the series at 3-1. Tigerette started off in game 5 with a quick five-ball run, but she actually finished the game with less balls potted than that. A scratch caused this, and sparked Jennifer into a four-ball run-out for the win and the 4-1 series win. Jennifer heads off to Chevrolet Center in Everton next, visiting the Eagles' Puff III in the bracket semifinals. Tigerette's Tournament is over, as she is the 63rd player eliminated and Jennifer's second kill.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Bandit v. Leonette. A hyped rookie meets a sturdy veteran in 12-ball for the blue cue's first series today. Swordpoint's Bandit had a good game 1, striking first and getting the better positioning against Pacific's Leonette, who made a couple of good shots. Bandit positioned himself well at the end, making the 3 to the top right on a kick for the win to end it. Bandit has a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Leonette had to take on a defensive structure in game 2 against another fast attack by the Blades' Bandit. Leonette did well to clog the channels for Bandit's final ball, and Leonette's smart play eventually led to a three-ball run. She left her last ball standing, but Bandit was out of position, and Leonette made it on the next turn to win the game, tying the series at 1. Leonette didn't get anything on the break in game 3, but she had no trouble on the second turn, answering Bandit's crisp pair of shots with a five-ball run. Leonette pulled herself out of position to get the fifth ball, but Bandit was not in position yet, setting up a nervy finish. In the end, Bandit's lazy shot from ball-in-hand doomed him, as Leonette cut in her final ball for the win to take a 2-1 series lead. Bandit had the makings of a massive run set up in game 4 right from Leonette's break, but Bandit missed his second shot. This proved critical, as Leonette stormed forward to make a number of shots and bump a fulcrum of Bandit's attack out of position. Bandit couldn't recover, losing uneventfully as Leonette's win clinched the series at 3-1. Bandit did play well in a tougher game 5, patiently working to find a run, and then converting the four-ball run-out when Leonette struggled to find her positioning. Bandit's win made it a 3-2 series win for Leonette, who will head off to Ford Forum in Pronger for a bracket semifinals series against the Tridents' Zach.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Hoppy v. Solaris. Two big-name rookies meet up this time, clashing in 10-ball with the silver cue. Southern's Hoppy had a ball on the break, but also scratched, and Infinity's Solaris had much more of the possession after that. Solaris ended with a three-ball run-out to get the win, taking a 1-0 series lead with the nice finish. The Torpedoes' Solaris took a turn to dominance in game 2, blasting a six-ball run on his second turn after a scratch by the Monarchs' Hoppy. Hoppy had a chance at the 8 after this monster run, but she missed, and Solaris cranked out another three-ball run-out for the win and the 2-0 series lead. Game 3 went much more favorably for Hoppy, who found confidence with an early three-ball run and backed it up with a three-ball run-out at the end as well. Solaris lacked the same pace and precision with his shots, allowing Hoppy to cut the series to 2-1. Solaris found his shot again in game 4, with a nutty deflected two-rail bank on the 3 going straight down the bottom rail to the bottom right. Hoppy allowed Solaris to continue, and the turn became a six-ball run. Hoppy couldn't strike the 9 near the end, and Solaris made the last two balls for the win, sealing the series at 3-1. Solaris pulled off another victory in a lazy game 5, which saw both players take a massive drop in shot quality late in the game. Solaris rebounded with a three-ball run-out, a fitting finish for his 4-1 series win. Solaris punched his ticket to the bracket semifinals.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Mr. Snowman v. Sweetheart. The silver cue's last series comes just before a short break, in 9-ball. Boston's Sweetheart was the first to show any offensive flair in game 1, with a five-ball run beginning on a spinning kick to sink the 4 in the bottom right. She scratched as she made the 8, allowing Infinity's Mr. Snowman to win with the 9 from ball-in-hand for the 1-0 series lead. The Swifts' Sweetheart made sure to finish game 2 when she worked on another nice run, making the 6 on a deflection off the 5, and then the 7-9 combination to the bottom right for the win. The Torpedoes' Mr. Snowman had no chance to recover, as Sweetheart's four-ball run-out tied the series at 1. Game 3 featured a fairly even distribution of offense, as neither player made three in a row. Sweetheart had the better of the play, getting a couple of pairs, including one at the end of the game after Mr. Snowman's miss on the 8 left her lined for the final two shots. Sweetheart's opportunistic play earned her a 2-1 series lead. Sweetheart kept up the good work in game 4, making a few shots early on. Mr. Snowman got onto a late run, making a three-ball run but missing the 8-9 combination to the bottom right. Sweetheart took those balls individually to clinch the series at 3-1. Sweetheart didn't have her best performance in game 5, missing a number of shots. This caught up to her when Mr. Snowman closed the game out with a four-ball run-out for the win, making it a 3-2 series for Sweetheart. The visitor Sweetheart will travel again in the bracket semifinals, facing the Pilots' Valencia at Golden's Amazon Field Exhibition Hall.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Neopolitan v. Shadow. The blue cue is back for 7-ball after the break. Pearl's Neopolitan had the better of play in a slow game 1, working a couple of shots early and the last two to beat Web City's Shadow. Neopolitan's calm demeanor helped her on the way to a 1-0 series lead for her win. The Surfers' Neopolitan saw a big drop-off in her offense for game 2. Instead, it was the Spiders' Shadow making balls two and three at a time until the end, where a scratch from Neopolitan gave Shadow a direct shot on the 7. He converted, getting the win to tie the series at 1. Shadow did most of the work in game 3, primarily from a four-ball run that saw him double-pot the 3 to the top left and the 6 to the top side. He missed the 7 on his only chance after making the 5, leaving a straight-line shot for Neopolitan to the bottom left, which she made to regain the series lead at 2-1 with the win. Neopolitan and Shadow each tried sharp draws in game 4, but Neopolitan's was poorly timed, as she failed the make the 5 because of the shot she took, ending a three-ball run. Shadow struck the 5 with pace to the top left, and then the 7 to the bottom side for the win, tying the series at 2. Game 5 went back-and-forth almost the whole time, with Neopolitan ending up on the right side of that steady oscillation as she made the 6 and 7 for the win over Shadow. Neopolitan took the series 3-2 to get to the bracket semifinals. Shadow found himself as the 65th player eliminated so far, with Neopolitan winning the do-or-die series for her first kill of the year.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Leonette v. Hoot. The blue cue ends the day with more 7-ball between these Coastal Division rivals. Pacific's Leonette ripped a break in game 1, watching as the 7 took two knocks and followed the 6 closely into the bottom right for the win, stunning Viewpoint Sound's Hoot as she took a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Leonette had to work a lot harder in game 2, unable to get the 7 on the break. The Meteors' Hoot didn't offer much offense as a challenge, but he did play a lot of defense. This slowed Leonette down until she picked a good run, making the last three shots to win for a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 went to Hoot, as Leonette had a very sloppy appearance this time. Hoot took advantage of Leonette's poor play, rallying with a six-ball run-out to leave very little doubt in the win. Leonette still has a 2-1 series lead. Hoot had a couple of chances to get the win after Leonette's three-ball run faded late in game 4. Hoot tapped the 6 a bit too soft on one of the turns, and then outright missed on the 7, allowing Leonette to patiently claim the victory and secure the series at 3-1 despite a lapse in her solid play. Leonette again gave up possession in a dangerous spot, and while Hoot didn't have an immediate attack planned, he picked up the 7 when Leonette couldn't down it at the bottom left. This made it a 3-2 series, sending Leonette to the bracket semifinals where she will host the Everton Eagles' Puff III at this venue. Leonette also earned her third kill of the season, joining the league lead as Hoot is the 66th player eliminated.
That's all for Tournament play until Friday. Until then, there should be one or two segments of cricket to be published, and all action will be broadcast on Twitter
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