After getting a new computer and a week filled with personal commitments, the Tournament is set to resume just over halfway through the second round. We'll get 40-50 games today, beginning with...
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Leonette v. Nikolai. The silver cue will bring us back into action with Accuracy in this series. Freedom's Nikolai started a bit slow in game 1, missing a couple of shots early on, but two late misses from Pacific's Leonette forced overtime. Here, Leonette missed again, and Nikolai's successful shot gave him the game at 2-3 for a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Leonette tried to stay composed in game 2, but an early miss put her behind. The Cascades' Nikolai refused to budge, playing perfectly to secure the 0-2 win after another late miss by Leonette. Nikolai leads the series 2-0. Leonette was in the driver's seat late in game 3, but again crumbled under pressure with incidental contact on the cue, the second time in the series it has happened. She again fell into a tie, but made a shot in overtime on the break. Nikolai countered well, and then won 3-4 when Leonette missed two turns later. Nikolai's win seals the series at 3-0. Nikolai lost control late in game 4, his style of quiet dominance giving way to a late panic against a deficit. Leonette held true for her perfect performance, winning 0-4 as Nikolai floundered. The result cuts the series to 3-1. Leonette mimicked the performance again in game 5, nearly going perfect, but two late misses allowed Nikolai to take a slightly more reasonable loss at 2-4. Nikolai still won the series 3-2, advancing to visit the Gems' Citrus in the bracket quarterfinals at Diamond's Intel Center.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Chelsea v. Americus. Another series of Accuracy is on the way, as Eastern Hills rivals battle with the blue cue. Eastside's Chelsea got off to a rocky start in game 1, faltering early and often. Atlantic's Americus kept a more composed effort going, and eventually picked up the win at 2-4 for a 1-0 series lead despite not having her strongest appearance. The Pirates' Americus had an even better game 2, which dovetailed with a worse performance from the Sharks' Chelsea, who crumbled by scattering misses throughout the game. Americus won easily at 0-6 to gain a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 saw a close battle emerge, as Americus held the lead early on under duress from Chelsea's skilled shooting. Americus eventually fell into a tie, and then Chelsea forced Americus to miss twice more late in the game, offset by one miss of her own. Chelsea ended the game with a 2-3 win, getting back into the series at 2-1. Chelsea played well at first in game 4, but the battle became tense as the players exchanged misses rapidly in the later stages. Americus tried to get back into the game, but Chelsea held her ground enough for a 5-7 win to tie the series at 2. Chelsea fell behind early in the decisive game 5, and while Americus would eventually miss, it wasn't enough to get Chelsea back in the game. Americus won the game 1-2, and the series 3-2, advancing to host Kirstin of the Everton Eagles at McDonald's Hall in Atlantic in the bracket quarterfinals.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Cheddar v. Delila. The blue cue returns after the lunch break to play 10-ball between these veterans. North Modernistic's Cheddar had a good start in game 1, making a three-ball run from the break, but after a quiet middle of the game, Atlantic's Delila picked up the win on a four-ball run-out. This was capped by double-potting the 9 to the bottom side and 10 to the bottom left for the winner, and a 1-0 series lead favoring Delila. The Pirates' Delila kept up the dominant effort in game 2, making three separate turns positive as the Nighthawks' Cheddar flailed. Delila ended the game with a three-ball run-out, a solid turn to go ahead 2-0 in the series. Cheddar turned things around with a dominant game 3, making a four-ball run on her first turn and a five-ball run-out on the next to slow Delila's offense significantly. Cheddar's big win cut the series to 2-1. Cheddar kept the pressure high in a slower game 4, until she was able to assemble a four-ball run late in the game. She nearly made the 10 to cap it off, but it rattled out of the bottom left, and Delila made it at the top left for the win, securing the series at 3-1. Delila and Cheddar kept it close in game 5, neither player truly able to break away. Cheddar had a late chance go to waste when she missed the 9, and Delila tapped in the last two shots for the win and a 4-1 series win. Delila will travel in the bracket quarterfinals to face the Wolves' Prism at Subway Arena in Stonebridge for an Eastern Hills Divisional.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Strut v. Paps. The red cue is up now for 9-ball in the Southeast. Eastside's Paps was the first to get his shot aligned in game 1, and while he had a late-charging four-ball run, his miss on the 9 proved detrimental. Golden's Strut mopped it up with a tap-in for the win, giving the host a 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Strut had a solid start to game 2, keeping an even pace between him and the Sharks' Paps for much of the game. Paps had a couple of tries at ending the game early that failed, but he made the 9 when Strut couldn't on the final shot for the win, tying the series at 1. Paps looked much better in game 3, making another deep run late in the game to stun Strut. Instead of missing on the 9, Paps completed a five-ball run-out with a measured shot to the top right to get the win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series with the effort. Strut countered very well in game 4, allowing Paps to make a few shots early on before Strut pieced together a five-ball run-out of his own for the win, retying the series at 2 with the dominant turn. Game 5 came down to the wire, with Paps holding a positioning advantage in the late stages. Strut never got a clean shot on his last two turns, and Paps picked up the gritty win for the 3-2 series win. Paps is off to Intel Center in Diamond for a bracket quarterfinals series against a division rival, the Gems' Pedey. This was also the fourteenth elimination of the year, as Strut went down as the first kill for Paps in 2017.
HP Field Events Center, Midland: Leonardo v. Ted. The red cue remains in action for another series, this time in 10-ball a little bit to the east. Web City's Ted had a good performance in game 1, although he almost lost it late. Midland's Leonardo worked a three-ball run, but couldn't corral the 10, and Ted made it on a tap-in for the win and a 1-0 series lead to pull himself ahead early. The Spiders' Ted changed styles in game 2, using defense early to smother the Predators' Leonardo. Around the middle, Leonardo broke out for a bit, but Ted made a four-ball run-out at the end to pick up the win and a 2-0 series lead. Leonardo turned things around in game 3, holding off a late attack from Ted quite well. Leonardo had a four-ball run before scratching, leading Ted to make a three-ball run that ended in a narrow miss on the 10. Leonardo buried it to get the win, pulling back to 2-1 down in the series. Leonardo continued to prioritize defense in game 4, keeping Ted at bay early on. The end was a bit frenzied, as Ted made a tough cut on the 7 on a kick shot, but scratched, and Leonardo made the final two balls for the win, tying the series at 2. Game 5 proved to be as crucial as any, with both players tapering any aggression into composed shooting. In the end, Leonardo made the 9 but missed the 10, allowing Ted to clean it up for the win and a 3-2 series win. Ted will return home for his bracket quarterfinals series against an undetermined opponent. Ted also earned his first career kill, knocking Leonardo out from the Tournament as the fifteenth player to be eliminated.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Dusky. These two foes with similar names clash in 12-ball with the blue cue. Golden's Dusty made a ball on the break in game 1, greatly helping her cause later on. She took a defensive posture at the top right, while Archtown's Dusky pulled ahead briefly. Dusty then made her last two balls when Dusky removed her defense. Dusty leads the series 1-0. The Arrows' Dusky didn't play as passively in game 2, while the Pilots' Dusty used an almost identical strategy, but didn't get as fortunate with her positioning. When the moment arose, Dusky burst to a win with a four-ball run-out, tying the series at 1 with her clever shots. Dusty had to take a more defensive approach in game 3, although Dusky wasn't bursting with offense after a bit of a poor break. Dusty waited for good position at the top side before removing her defense at the top left, leaving Dusky flustered with a pair of scratches and no clear path to victory. When Dusty made her last two balls for the win, she took a 2-1 series lead. Dusky held her own early in game 4, but Dusty pulled off another instance of strong defense, and Dusky seemed to get farther and farther off the mark when she starting erring late in the game. Dusty eventually made her last ball for the win and a 3-1 series lead. Dusty tried to get a good performance in for game 5, but she had her final ball too close to the top right, allowing Dusky to get behind her defense after a prolonged set-up attempt. Dusky got the win this time, but Dusty took the series 3-2, and advances to host the Central Warriors' Dustin at this venue in the bracket quarterfinals.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Peach. A struggling veteran tangles with a hyped rookie in 9-ball with the silver cue. Pacific's Ms. Kitty had a shaky start to game 1, salvaged only by a three-ball run. North Modernistic's Peach repeatedly failed to take advantage, including missing a deflection late, and Ms. Kitty took the win for a 1-0 series lead despite not playing her best. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty outright dominated in game 2, making a five-ball run that ended in a scratch. The Nighthawks' Peach didn't quite make the 9, but Ms. Kitty missed contact on a long shot and Peach buried it on her second try, with the win tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw a bit of a turnaround again, as Ms. Kitty had a strong early effort, only for Peach to make a late four-ball run. Peach's only mistake was to leave the 9 standing, as Ms. Kitty converted on it to get the win for a 2-1 series lead. Peach had a bit of a problem with scratching in game 4, twice doing that after Ms. Kitty had a miss. These errors allowed Ms. Kitty to control the game, and she would get the win after Peach missed on the 8. Ms. Kitty clinched the series at 3-1. Game 5 saw more of the same out of Peach, whose late scratch took away her momentum and allowed Ms. Kitty to make two of the last three balls in another win. Ms. Kitty secured the series at 4-1, and will host the Whitewater Shores' Marsell at this venue in the bracket quarterfinals.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Hoppy. A savvy veteran takes on a poised rookie in 8-ball as the red cue returns to action. Queens' Crystal made a good start with her break, but she couldn't get a run going later in the game. Southern's Hoppy quickly had two short runs to gain the lead, and then battled until she could pot the 8 to the top right for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Crystal never made a ball in game 2, as the Monarchs' Hoppy made a solid and stripe each on her break, and then potted a seven-ball run-out with one instance of collateral damage on her second turn to get the win. Hoppy leads the series 2-0 after the dominant effort. Crystal did not go down that easily, putting up a remarkable fight in game 3. The fast-paced game saw Crystal make a couple of shots early, while Hoppy fired back with a run in response. They battled on to the end, where Crystal pulled ahead and won with a short run to cut the series to 2-1. Crystal had a decent surge at the start of game 4, but Hoppy matched her shot for shot during the majority of the game. In the end, Hoppy just pulled ahead of Crystal to get the win and a 3-1 series lead that secures her advancement. Crystal got one back with a win in game 5, going on a deep four-ball run to get lined up on the 8, and then making it on her next turn when Hoppy couldn't counter. Hoppy did take the series 3-2, and will be on the road again in the bracket quarterfinals.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Shaggy v. Bright. The red cue will get its last series of the day when Accuracy is played this time. Whitewater's Shaggy made a ball on the break in game 1, which proved critical when a late miss by North Modernistic's Bright tied the game. In overtime, Bright missed on the break, and Shaggy converted to win 1-2, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Bright sputtered significantly at the start of game 2, allowing the Shores' Shaggy to take a massive lead. She held her ground from there, never letting Bright back into the game, as Shaggy took the 1-5 win to earn a 2-0 series lead. Bright didn't look to be making any sort of comeback in game 3, as Shaggy took and held an early lead, but they battled closely through the middle of the game. At the end, Shaggy had a chance to force overtime but missed the shot, and Bright came through to win 3-4 and cut the series to 2-1. Shaggy kept a lead for most of game 4 as well, but faded late into a tie. At the end, Bright couldn't force overtime, and Shaggy took the win 1-2, clinching the series at 3-1 as well. Shaggy couldn't get a shot going early in game 5, making it an easy cruise to a win for Bright, who took the result 1-4 at the end. Shaggy won the series 3-2 with her strong play early on, advancing to host Pacific Volcanoes captain Starlight in the bracket quarterfinals at this venue.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dominic v. Twinkie III. These two well-traveled players collide for 12-ball with the blue cue. Viewpoint Sound's Dominic started slowly, unable to hold off an early attack from Whitewater's Twinkie III. Dominic persisted well, keeping Brownie from a clear shot until Dominic was able to complete the comeback at the top right for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Dominic had a much stronger start in game 2, imposing himself more effectively around each pocket. The Shores' Twinkie III had no response for this, falling behind and even giving Dominic a wild-card ball. Dominic cruised to the finish, gaining a 2-0 series lead. Twinkie III fired back with a strong game 3, using an early advantage after Dominic didn't develop a run after the break. Twinkie III had a good defensive position, but she had to let it go, and Dominic made three of his remaining four balls before Twinkie III grabbed the win to make it a 2-1 series. Dominic tried to get off to a hot start in game 4, but he missed on his first shot, and Twinkie III replied with a four-ball run. Dominic made a three-ball run to counter, but Twinkie III stepped up for her final two shots, winning the game to tie the series at 2. Twinkie III rallied all the way back with a near carbon copy of her game 4 effort, making a four-ball run in game 5 and then holding off Dominic's three-ball run enough to pick up her final shot a couple of turns later. Twinkie III took the series at 3-2, and will travel to GE Stadium Events Center in Southridge for a bracket quarterfinals series against the Defenders rookie Hughbert. Twinkie III's also picked up her first kill of the year, as Dominic is the sixteenth player eliminated from the Tournament.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Spot v. Luigi. Rookies go to battle in the next series, keeping the blue cue at the table for 8-ball. Pronger's Spot had a slow start to game 1, which was mostly the same for North Modernistic's Luigi as well. Luigi did break out first, but he couldn't sustain himself, and Spot made a five-ball run-out at the end for the standard win and a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Spot had a massive run in game 2, going from nothing to a seven-ball run in one turn. The Nighthawks' Luigi couldn't recover from that by himself, but Spot put the 8 in the wrong pocket a couple of turns later, gifting Luigi the win to tie the series at 1. Neither Spot nor Luigi could come up with a controlling run for game 3, as each player chipped in a shot here and there. At the end, scratching became a bit common, but it was missed contact by Luigi that led Spot to victory through ball-in-hand on the 8. Spot's win gave him control of the series again at 2-1. Spot fell behind early to Luigi, who assembled a four-ball run with a look of domination in his eyes. This didn't last, as he would make just one more ball, and Spot blew by him with a three-ball run-out in the end to take the win and the series at 3-1. Spot had a good start in game 5, but things quickly drew even with a determined effort from Luigi. Spot couldn't hold up in the end, as Luigi grazed his way to victory. Spot won the series 3-2, and will host the Everton Eagles captain Goldy at this venue in the bracket quarterfinals. Spot's win here eliminates Luigi, the seventeenth player knocked out, and Spot's first kill of the year.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Stealth v. Bright. The final series of the day is in 7-ball, with the silver cue on for the appearance. Swordpoint's Stealth didn't start particularly hot, but North Modernistic's Bright never made a ball in the game, as Stealth put up a seven-ball run-out at one point for the win and a 1-0 series lead in dominant form. The Blades' Stealth failed to produce a comparable run in game 2, and couldn't even get much offense in any form. The Nighthawks' Bright made a big improvement, and won from ball-in-hand after Stealth had a scratch on the 6. Bright's win tied the series at 1. Stealth had another slow start in game 3, and Bright seemed to be in control of this particular battle for awhile. Stealth turned things around just in time, rattling off a three-ball run-out to grab the win and regain the series lead at 2-1. Stealth left it for late again in game 4, his opening run acting as a small deterrent to Bright. In the end, Bright had a chance on the 7 and missed it wide at the top left, and Stealth buried it for the win to clinch the series at 3-1. Stealth had a decent performance in game 5, but it wasn't enough at the end, with Bright making the last two balls to seal the win. Stealth still took the series 3-2, and will host the Web City Spiders' Dani in the bracket quarterfinals.
That's it for today, after 60 games in a return to action. Less is on tap for tomorrow, likely 40-50 games.
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