Today's expected to be the big day of the week, which should have four Tournament game days to bring this round to a close. We begin with...
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Kiwi v. Leandra. Two big stars meet in Rotation with the silver cue in the first series today. Tysini's Leandra had a great start in game 1, making a pair of balls after the break from Terrace City's Kiwi. Kiwi soon tied the game, but a five-ball run from Leandra solidified her lead, and a turn later, she won 8-3 for the 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Kiwi had a better time in game 2, establishing the early lead in a tougher game. The Hummingbirds' Leandra did find her way into the lead with a four-ball run, but her poor shot at the 12 gave Kiwi ball-in-hand for a three-ball run-out to win 8-6 and tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw a mix of the first two, as Kiwi emerged with the early lead through quick and accurate shooting, but Leandra managed a late four-ball run to make things interesting. Leandra was held back by a scratch and two misses on the 15 at the end, giving Kiwi the 8-7 win when she finally converted the 15 herself. Kiwi leads the series 2-1 now. Game 4 went quite well for Leandra, who burst out to a big lead and then played a stifling defense against Kiwi as she waited for a shot to open up. Kiwi eventually missed contact on the tricky 7, and Leandra made the last two shots for an 8-1 win to tie the series again at 2. Kiwi took over pretty quickly in game 5, making a couple of good shots early on. Leandra tried to pull back, but her 9-10 combination to the bottom right ended in a scratch, and Kiwi picked up the 8-3 win three shots later. Kiwi won the series 3-2, and will visit the winner of the next series in the bracket quarterfinals.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles v. Caitlin. The silver cue returns for more Rotation in this second series of the day. Capital City's Sprinkles had a strong game 1 for herself, starting a bit slowly and letting Oceanside's Caitlin tie it midway through before Sprinkles made a four-ball run-out with an 11-13 bank combination to the top side to end it at 8-4. Sprinkles leads the series 1-0. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles followed a similar script in game 2, although without a late run. She took a nice lead, and then saw the Waves' Caitlin cut into a bit, before Sprinkles close out an 8-3 victory to move into a 2-0 series lead. In game 3, Sprinkles maintained her dominant edge when she made a ball on the break. She backed it up with a mid-game run, and then used illegal contact on the 13 by Caitlin to take the 9 from ball-in-hand for the 8-3 win, clinching the series at 3-0. Caitlin avoided total embarrassment with her game 4 win, which saw her play a tight defense against Sprinkles early on as Caitlin built a lead. Sprinkles broke through and briefly led toward the end, but Caitlin made a three-ball run-out after a Sprinkles scratch to get the 8-6 win to cut the series to 3-1. Game 5 was unnecessarily complicated, with the players exchanging leads and fouling far too often in a meaningless battle. Sprinkles took the win 8-7, giving her the series win at 4-1. Sprinkles will host Kiwi of the Terrace City Knights in the bracket quarterfinals at this venue. Sprinkles' win gave her her first kill of the year, as Caitlin is the 29th player eliminated this year.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Peach v. Diddley. After the lunch break, the blue cue is on for 15-ball. North Modernistic's Peach wasted no time in establishing her offense in game 1, making a ball on the break and doing a lot of work in the early going. Near the end, she had a four-ball run followed by a three-ball run, but Maplewood's Diddley made the last two shots, including a two-rail bank on the 15 to win and steal a 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Diddley used his early win to grow in confidence for game 2, making a majority of the shots until the end. He had a four-ball run that the Nighthawks' Peach answered with a two-ball run, but she missed the 15 twice, and Diddley buried it on his second try, pushing his series lead to 2-0 with the win. Peach made an unlikely combination for the game 3 win after another sub-par break from Diddley led to a slow start. Peach shot the cue around the 8 to make the 2-15 combination at the top right, breathing life into her series as it goes to 2-1. Peach had a good break in game 4, but it didn't speed the game up much at all. Diddley had a nice four-ball run in the middle of the game before the 7 became a point of frustration. Peach nearly banked the 15 off the 13 near the end, but Diddley made them separately to win and secure the series at 3-1. Diddley had a couple of early chances at the 15 after a good break in game 5, but neither one landed, and he ended a late three-ball run with a scratch, allowing Peach to make the 15 from ball-in-hand. Diddley took the series 3-2 to advance to the bracket quarterfinals, where he returns to Maplewood's UPS Hall to host the Royal Crowns' Kayla.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Chicky Phil v. Puff I. A newcomer faces a savvy veteran in Rotation, this time with the red cue. Pacific's Chicky Phil didn't get as quick of a start in game 1 as he wanted, but Modernistic's Puff I couldn't pull away either. Chicky Phil did lead eventually, and while Puff I mounted a firm rally, Chicky Phil still got the 8-6 win for a 1-0 series lead. The Union's Puff I carried a big lead for some of game 2, but the Volcanoes' Chicky Phil did not get discouraged. With two separate runs, Chicky Phil got within striking distance and then a three-ball run-out at the end earned him the 8-6 win for a 2-0 series lead. Puff I again held a lead in game 3, and again she failed to make it stand throughout the game. Chicky Phil went on a couple of fierce rallies to tie the game, and Puff I then stumbled with a miss on the 13, allowing Chicky Phil to make the last two shots for the 8-6 win to clinch the series at 3-0. Puff I made a better late than never push in game 4, striking first against Chicky Phil and then replying to his mid-game antics with a five-ball run-out to win 8-4 and make it a 3-1 series. Chicky Phil couldn't get a grip on game 5 either, holding a lead in the middle but falling to a late run by Puff I as she took the 8-5 win. Chicky Phil still took the series 3-2, and he will head off to McDonald's Hall in Atlantic to face Pirates rookie Klaus in the bracket quarterfinals.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Slinks v. Missy. The silver cue is back in action now with this 7-ball series. Capital City's Missy showed up pretty well in a tense game 1 that saw her split possession with Westside's Slinks pretty evenly. Missy just had the better timing, making the last two balls for the win that gives her a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Missy had a more confident performance in game 2, keeping the Rockers' Slinks at bay in her two turns. Missy cranked out a four-ball run-out for the winning surge in this game, the well-played turn pushing her to a 2-0 series lead. Missy nearly won game 3 on the break, but settled for a pair on the opening turn, answered directly by Slinks. Missy won it on her second turn of the game, clinching the series at 3-0 as she executed a clean three-ball run-out. Slinks finally got to put on her own show in game 4, rallying after an early miss from Missy. When it was over, Slinks had built up a five-ball run-out to earn the win and cut the series to 3-1, although it won't change the end result. Slinks tried to follow it up in game 5, but an early scratch and a late miss derailed the effort, and Missy picked up the slack with ease, making plenty of shots to get the win and take the series at 4-1. Missy advances to the bracket quarterfinals and a road date in Starbucks Arena in Archtown to face the Arrows captain Ruby.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Leonette v. Rainmane. Back on the coast, one team's last bid is on the line in this series of Rotation with the silver cue. Pacific's Leonette had a great start in game 1, but was barely able to shake Midland's Rainmane in the early going. This kept the game close, and a sloppy finish saw Leonette lug her way to an 8-6 win for a 1-0 series lead without much confidence. Game 2 saw a sloppy break from the Volcanoes' Leonette, who seemed to have an edge on the Predators' Rainmane for most of the game. Leonette nearly won it twice, but she missed her shot each time, allowing Rainmane to make a four-ball run and then the final ball in an 8-7 win to tie the series at 1. Rainmane made a very direct attack in game 3, beginning with a strong break, getting a good run and some defense in the middle, and a quick finish when it was clear Leonette couldn't produce a counterattack to tie it. Rainmane won 8-2 to take the series lead at 2-1. Rainmane always held an edge in game 4, keeping ahead of Leonette with two surges. Leonette tried to counter each time, but she couldn't find a run long enough, and Rainmane took the 8-4 win to clinch the series at 3-1 with the dominant game. Leonette didn't need a lot of time to make her mark in game 5, using a deep run in the middle of the game to pace herself to an 8-2 win. Rainmane had no argument, glad to keep her team alive with a 3-2 series win. Rainmane will head out to Intel Center in Diamond to face the Gems captain Smokey in the bracket quarterfinals.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Precious v. Dusty. A captain and a star meet in 7-ball for this series, using the red cue. Pronger's Precious had a solid performance in game 1 with a pair of balls from the break, but her scratch proved costly. Golden's Dusty made a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand, taking the win with a perfect shooting percentage to earn a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Precious held her own a bit better in a tough game 2, as the Pilots' Dusty faltered a bit and missed a couple of shots she could have made. Precious made what she could and cleaned it up when Dusty missed the 7, earning a win to tie the series at 1. Dusty returned to form a bit late in game 3, struggling at first in a tense and pivotal battle with Precious before Dusty broke out on a four-ball run-out. The final shot saw Dusty pull off a 6-7 bank combination to the bottom right to win, giving her the 2-1 series lead. Precious had some terrible luck in game 4, with a shot on the 3 glancing the cue to the bottom right on a scratch, and then a bank on the 7 not falling at the bottom right after Dusty had failed to end the game on a three-ball run. Dusty made it the second time on a tap-in to secure the series at 3-1. Dusty had a good game 5 as well, making a three-ball run in the middle and then defending so that Precious couldn't make the 6. Dusty made the last two shots as well, winning to make it a 4-1 series. Dusty will return home to Amazon Field Events Center in Golden to host her bracket quarterfinals series against Ms. Kitty of the Pacific Volcanoes.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Wario v. Bells. The red cue continues with a series of 12-ball this time down in the Southwest. Victoria's Wario had a good game 1, making a ball on the break and then stymieing Todavía's Bells after she made a three-ball run. Wario countered with three of his own, and got good position to make the last two, which he eventually did to win and take a 1-0 series lead. The Spurs' Wario had another good break in game 2, but the Stills' Bells did better at keeping up with him this time. The two players exchanged wild-card balls late in the game, and proceeded to play tough positional defense against each other, until Wario finally made his last ball for the win and a 2-0 lead in the series. In game 3, Wario again had the early advantage as his breaking continues to be elite. Bells planned out a route through her shots after Wario's scratch, but she couldn't execute more than a three-ball run. Wario then benefited from his earlier error, creating a five-ball run-out to clinch the series with the win that made it 3-0. Wario again used an error to benefit in game 4, patiently building up his offense before the last ball proved to be a tricky one. Bells slowly chipped back into the game, getting positioning on her last two balls, when Wario scratched. Bells couldn't convert a shot, and Wario needed only two more turns to win, moving to a 4-0 series lead with his crafty effort. Wario kept his creative play going with his second shot in game 5, double-potting to the top side and top left. This shot left Bells flustered, and she only made one ball the whole game, while Wario ended on a three-ball run-out after strong positioning. Wario swept the series 5-0, advancing to visit the Maplewood Lumberjacks' Diddley in the bracket quarterfinals at UPS Hall.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shiny v. Ice Cream: The red cue gets a look in 8-ball now before a short break. Web City's Shiny held an even game with Commerce's Ice Cream in the early going, exchanging shots closely. Shiny then broke free with a three-ball run, and while she gave Ice Cream a ball as well, the visitor never caught up. Shiny eventually tapped the 8 in to win for a 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Shiny played well again despite a disappointing break in game 2, keeping pace with the Tradewinds' Ice Cream throughout. Shiny played some heavy defense on Ice Cream late in the game, and the strategy worked, allowing Shiny a clear shot at the 8 in the end to win and make it a 2-0 series. Ice Cream charged forward with a more confident appearance in game 3, making a lot of shots and holding the lead for almost all of the game. Shiny would not go quietly, and when Ice Cream missed a shot on the 8, Shiny charged with a three-ball run-out to steal the win and clinch the series at 3-0. Shiny had a bad break in game 4, and Ice Cream capitalized with some clever shooting to take the lead. At the end, Shiny was in a similar position to last game after Ice Cream missed on the 8, but Shiny couldn't get a run going, and Ice Cream tapped the 8 in the second time to win, cutting the series to 3-1. In game 5, Shiny had a better chance of sticking in the game, as she kept her shots even with Ice Cream once again. At the end, Ice Cream had to make a defensive play in hopes of stopping Shiny, but it didn't work. Shiny won the series 4-1, and advances to the bracket quarterfinals, a series which she will host. This marks the end for Ice Cream in this Tournament, the 30th player ousted, while Shiny has her first kill of the year.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Brownie v. Celestia. After the break, the silver cue is back for this 7-ball series. Tysini's Brownie needed only the break in game 1, getting the right bump on the 7 to sink it to the bottom side to take a quick 1-0 series lead with her win over Oceanside's Celestia. Game 2 saw the Waves' Celestia show herself off a bit, able to make a handful of shots. The Hummingbirds' Brownie looked shaky in the run of play, none more so than her miss on the 7 that left it short at the top right. Celestia tapped it in for the win, tying the series at 1 with the hard-fought result. Celestia didn't have a lot of possession in game 3, giving up a four-ball run to Brownie, who settled down to have quite a good game. Brownie did miss on the 7, however, and Celestia made that when called upon to snag another win, giving the visitor the 2-1 series lead. Celestia returned the favor from game 1 on the break in game 4, shattering the rack to send the 7 flying across the table and into the bottom left for the series-clinching win. Celestia leads the series 3-1 over Brownie with the sudden victory. Brownie picked up the game 5 win after Celestia didn't get a lot of offense aside from a short run off the break. Brownie's win made it a 3-2 series win for Celestia, who will host the Freedom Cascades' Roxy in the bracket quarterfinals at AT&T Hall in Oceanside.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Shiny v. Bear. The silver cue closes its day with a series of Accuracy. Web City's Shiny played a strong game 1, matching Whitewater's Bear for most of the first half before she took a single miss. Bear thought he would cruise to the end, but Shiny pulled out some defensive and made him miss twice. Shiny won the game 1-2, and she took a 1-0 series lead with the effort. The Spiders' Shiny nearly went perfect in game 2, able to force the Shores' Bear into a few misses early in the game before just missing on her second-to-last shot to ruin the perfection bid. Shiny still won 1-4, moving her series lead to 2-0. Shiny's dominant shooting in the series began to fade late in game 3 after a shaky break at the start, but Bear didn't hold his ground well enough to take advantage of it. Despite two late misses, Shiny took the win at 3-5 to clinch the series at 3-0. Game 4 was the closest one of the series, as Bear stayed within a shot of Shiny the entire game. It didn't do him any good, as his miss on the final ball set him back, and Shiny converted to take the win 3-4, making it a 4-0 series in her favor. In game 5, Bear finally broke through. Shiny didn't take herself too seriously, leading to a pair of misses late in the game. Bear bent with one miss late, but he struck his last three shots with excellence to pick up the 1-2 win. Shiny still won the series 4-1, and she will host the Capital City Sharpshooters' Nicole in the bracket quarterfinals at this venue.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Prism v. Hughbert. The final series of the day is in 9-ball with the red cue between members of the same club. Stonebridge's Prism had a decent start in game 1, but things got quiet for a bit in the middle. Prism then made a three-ball run, but left the 8 up, and Southridge's Hughbert made it and 9 for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Wolves' Prism tried to keep her possession strong in game 2, but the Defenders' Hughbert had a slight uptick in performance to negate the effect. Prism almost made the 7-9 combination to the bottom right, but she left it lined up for Hughbert to double-pot those two balls and win, giving him a 2-0 series lead. Prism had to be tough in game 3, as neither player could establish a run of any sort until Prism made a pair and nearly the 5-9 combination to the bottom side. She again left it short, and Hughbert converted it on his next turn for the win, securing the series at 3-0. Game 4 went extremely fast, with Hughbert making a three-ball run from the break that ended on illegal use of the stick. Prism answered with a quick pair, and the Hughbert ran out three balls, ending with a tough-angle 7-9 combination to the bottom right for the win to make it a 4-0 series. Game 5 saw Hughbert lay off a bit, trying to get Prism engaged in the series, but when she had a chance on the 9 at the end, she once again left her final shot short, and Hughbert's tap-in gave him a 5-0 series sweep. Hughbert advances to a road series in Everton's Chevrolet Center against the Eagles captain Goldy in the bracket quarterfinals.
That's all for today's 60 games. Tuesday thru Thursday will feature only 40 games each, and the round will end on Thursday. Friday will be taken for administrative work, and the bracket quarterfinals are scheduled to start next Monday and last approximately two weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment