We're back for the third day of the round, and we're still battling heat both on and off the table. Today's action begins with...
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Ruby v. Pedey. The blue cue is in for 8-ball in this series to lead things off today. Archtown's Ruby had a decent start in game 1, but she struggled to get anything more than a three-ball run in the middle of the game. Diamond's Pedey was a bit slower at the start, but he solved his shooting problem with a five-ball run-out for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Ruby had a much better game 2 after a joke of a break from the Gems' Pedey. Pedey struggled to make much of anything during the game, but still got the win when Ruby scratched after a risky shot on the 8, gifting the win and the 2-0 series lead to Pedey. Ruby finally put it all together in game 3, still taking a couple of risky shots around the 8. Pedey lacked a pressuring run to force Ruby's hand, allowing her to patiently work her way to a win and make the series 2-1 to Pedey. Game 4 saw a weaker break from Ruby than the first game, and she didn't have much in the way of her attack either. Pedey had a good share of possession and made a late run to challenge Ruby, but she locked it down just in time for the win, tying the series at 2. Game 5 saw Ruby have another weak break, and she fell behind early to Pedey. The players looked exhausted already, with Pedey stumbling late, only to win when Ruby's three-ball run couldn't add the 8. Pedey got the win narrowly to retake the series lead at 3-2. Game 6 had a very slow start after Pedey's poor break, which featured a scratch. Ruby was the first to connect a run, making six in a row before a scratch, and Pedey answered with a five-ball run that also ended in a scratch. At the end, Ruby missed on the 8, and Pedey pulled in a three-ball run-out for the win to clinch the series at 4-2. Ruby couldn't even assemble an intimidating run in game 7, as Pedey had a six-ball run, weathered down by a scratch a turn later. Ruby couldn't catch up from here, and Pedey took the win for a 5-2 series win. Pedey advances to a road series in the bracket finals.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Ms. Puppy v. Celestia. The blue cue remains in action for this series of 9-ball. Game 1 featured errors from both players after an empty break from Modernistic's Ms. Puppy. Oceanside's Celestia proved to have the more costly error, as her illegal contact on the 6 led Ms. Puppy to make the 3 and then add the 4-9 combination to the bottom side for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw tensions rise on the 3 and 9, as both saw a lull in play. The Union's Ms. Puppy seemed to have the better of the play throughout the game, although the Waves' Celestia did have a couple of nice shots to stay competitive. In the end, Ms. Puppy made the 9 on her third try to win and take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 saw a return to strength for Ms. Puppy, who made a three-ball run at one point in the game. Celestia tried to keep up, but her miss on the 9 left it for Ms. Puppy to tap in on her second try for the win and a historically insurmountable 3-0 series lead. Celestia began a long comeback attempt in game 4, making a three-ball run early on, and then adding a six-ball run-out as Ms. Puppy couldn't find her shot. Celestia was lucky the 7 caromed into the bottom left for the fourth shot of that finishing run, as it helped her to the win and cut the series to 3-1. Game 5 saw one of the best 9-ball breaks of all time, as Celestia sent the 2 and 6 to the bottom right, and the 7 and 8 to the top right for a four-ball shot. She missed contact on the 1, and the rest of the game was a sloppy battle that saw Ms. Puppy leave the 9 short at the bottom left, where Celestia tapped it in for the win, making it a 3-2 series now. Game 6 saw an exciting but ultimately empty break by Celestia. Ms. Puppy had the first run of three balls, and she added another one, but her miss on the 6 allowed Celestia to make a three-ball run-out at the end for the win, tying the series at 3 as she gets one more shot to complete the comeback. Celestia didn't get anything on her break in game 7, and Ms. Puppy soon tore things up with a seven-ball run to get onto the 9, but she missed it just short at the bottom right, and Celestia's comeback came true with a tap-in for the win. Celestia came all the way back for a 4-3 series win, advancing to a road series again in the bracket finals. Celestia picked up her second kill of the Tournament, making Ms. Puppy the 79th eliminated player. This was also the second team kill of the year.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Chicky Phil v. Stinky. The red cue is up after lunch for Rotation. Game 1 saw the players go back and forth with the lights out to keep the playing area comfortable. Freedom's Stinky held the lead early on, and pulled ahead again late, but Pacific's Chicky Phil was up to the task, making two comebacks for the 8-7 win and 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Volcanoes' Chicky Phil work a three-ball run at one point to get a more comfortable lead over the Cascades' Stinky. The play worked, and Chicky Phil added a pair at the end to get the 8-4 win for a 2-0 series lead. Chicky Phil fell behind again in game 3, but he slowly worked his way back. Stinky tried to hold the lead, but he couldn't keep up, and Chicky Phil made a three-ball run-out ending in an 11-15 combination to the bottom right for an 8-4 win to push the series to 3-0. Chicky Phil had a hot start with a three-ball run early in game 4, but it was Stinky who fought back this time, rallying to tie it at one point. Chicky Phil held another lead in the middle of the game, but Stinky managed a comeback to win 8-6, getting on the board in the 3-1 series. Stinky had a decent break in game 5, but it served Chicky Phil much better, as he had a five-ball run on his first turn. Stinky had to ramp up his offense after this, and he couldn't do it, allowing Chicky Phil to outscore him from that point on as well in the host's 8-2 win that secured the series at 4-1. Chicky Phil started with a three-ball run this time, and looked like he would cruise through the game until Stinky pulled off a remarkable double-pot. Stinky made the 6-14 combination to the top side, and added the 13 via the cue to the top right, igniting his five-ball run-out for the 8-4 win. This made it a 4-2 series. Game 7 saw Stinky make a good start, but he couldn't hold up against a four-ball run by Chicky Phil, who added a later three-ball run and weathered Stinky's counterattack for the 8-7 win. Chicky Phil will host the bracket final series after this 5-2 series win. Stinky is the 80th player to be eliminated, and Chicky Phil has his second kill of the year as the Cascades are also done for the regular season.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Wings v. Rainmane. The silver cue steps on for a single series of Rotation today. Midland's Rainmane had an incredible and lucky four-ball run at the start of game 1, staking out a lead with very favorable deflections. Pearl's Wings caught up with his own four-ball run, but it didn't hold up, as Rainmane won with a three-ball run-out for an 8-6 result and a 1-0 lead in the series. The Predators' Rainmane lost just about all of her luck in game 2, but she still shot well enough to gain the lead. The Surfers' Wings again made a push to tie the game up, but the end favored Rainmane just slightly, as Wings couldn't kick the 15 to the top side, even if the shot was accidental. Rainmane tapped it in to win 8-7 and take a 2-0 series lead. Wings pulled back a game successfully in game 3, weathering Rainmane's opening attacks fairly well to keep things even halfway through. Rainmane did take another lead after this, but Wings charged with a four-ball run-out for the 8-5 win to make it a 2-1 series. Wings had the better of the early play in game 4, but Rainmane stormed back, causing the two players to battle more intricately at the end. Wings weaved ahead with a nice run, but Rainmane would make the last two balls for an 8-7 win, moving to a 3-1 series lead. Wings didn't have to be dominant in game 5, as Rainmane couldn't seem to make a shot at all. Wings chipped in where he could offensively, but his defensive positioning really won him the game at 8-0 as Rainmane's only ball potted was called back for a scratch. The series still favors Rainmane 3-2. Rainmane also fell behind in game 6 at the start, but Wings couldn't hold the lead. Both players left a few shots on the table with missed or poor contact, and it was a miss on the 13 by Wings that led Rainmane to make the last two balls, winning 8-7, and clinching the series at 4-2. Rainmane and Wings tangled one more time in game 7, a difficult battle that saw each player hold the lead a bit. Rainmane had it late, only to see Wings rally with a three-ball run to tie the game before missing the 15. Rainmane tapped in the last ball for the 8-7 win and a 5-2 series win. Rainmane will be right here in the bracket final, facing Wings' Surfers' teammate Boots for a trip to the medal round. Wings is the 81st player to be eliminated, and Rainmane again staved off her own exit with her second kill.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Hughbert. A legend meets a rookie in the first of back-to-back 12-ball series for the blue cue. Golden's Dusty had all of the offense early in game 1, and she tried to set herself up well, but Southridge's Hughbert waited patiently until he could do a five-ball run to take the lead. Dusty tried to defend the last pocket, but Hughbert persisted to get the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw a fairly even performance, with the Defenders' Hughbert taking the early lead and getting countered by the Pilots' Dusty before a three-ball run to retake the lead. Dusty thought her positioning was good, so she went for her last two shots, but left the second one short, and Hughbert made his well-placed final ball to win for a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 started with a drastic lack of offense, rising tensions just a notch. Then, Dusty burst forward with a four-ball run to start her offense. Hughbert quickly replied with a four-ball run of his own, and they maneuvered onto their final balls around the same time. Dusty and Hughbert danced around some defense, but it would be Dusty under-hitting her last shot on the 12 that allowed Hughbert to tap in the 2 at the bottom side for the win and a 3-0 series lead. Dusty had a slow build at the start of game 4, letting her offense simmer as she tried to get in position. Hughbert forced the issue with a dangerous three-ball run that could have been more, but Dusty fired straight back with a three-ball run-out, keeping herself in the now 3-1 series. Dusty sustained her offense for a bit in game 5, challenging early on and getting very close to the win against Hughbert. Dusty just wasn't able to get position on her last shot, and Hughbert attacked with a bit of pace to come back and win it, breaking Dusty's defense to take the series at 4-1. Dusty held a lead for much of game 6, and she made it count in the end, banking the 15 from the kitchen to the top left to get the win after a scratch by Hughbert. This made it a 4-2 series. Dusty had the bulk of the offense in game 7 as well, with a four-ball run pacing her attack, but Hughbert remained calm and got his last three balls before Dusty could get position for her last shot. Hughbert's win made it a 5-2 series, and he awaits the result of the next series to determine his bracket final opponent and destination.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Zach v. Leonette. The blue cue wraps up its 12-ball for the round with this series. Pronger's Zach made two of his own from the break, but also gave Pacific's Leonette a wild-card ball early in the game. Leonette couldn't do anything with it, and Zach added a three-ball run before being patient with the 9 at the top side, winning three turns later for a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Zach struck again on the break in game 2, and he made good use of his shots, making a pair on each of his three turns. He also gave away a wild-card ball to the Volcanoes' Leonette as collateral damage to set up his final turn. Leonette made one more ball after that before Zach finished with a pair of light cuts shots to go ahead 2-0 in the series. Leonette got a couple of gifts from Zach in game 3, as Zach scratched on the break and made illegal contact with the stick on his second turn. Leonette sparked three-ball runs from each of those for a quick win to cut the series to 2-1. Leonette made one of each on the break in game 4, and she had a good burst of offense with a three-ball run from the break. Zach didn't roll over, attacking well until he got to the last ball, which played defense. He twice tried to rattle it out, but failed when he potted it illegally the second time. Leonette made one of her two remaining shots, but couldn't get the other to drop, and Zach banked his 13 to the bottom right for the win and a 3-1 series lead. Zach had a decent break in game 5, but he had trouble getting himself into position for the rest of his shots. Leonette had a few struggles as well, but she didn't hold back, charging through the rack and allowing Zach's unlucky misses to doom him. Leonette picked up the win to make it a 3-2 series. Leonette struck first in game 6, taking stripes, but Zach had solids on each of the sides and paced his attack well. Zach took pockets Leonette wasn't near first, allowing him to end up just fighting defense at the end. Leonette was slow to get into position, but as she did, Zach got a line on his final shot for the win, securing the series at 4-2. Leonette faltered a bit in game 7, trying to keep pace but digging herself a hole with the wild-card ball she surrendered. Once again, Zach lay in wait as Leonette set up her final shot, only to strike when she final got in position. Zach won the series 5-2, and will host the Southridge Defenders' Hughbert in the bracket finals at this venue.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Diddley v. Sydney Sierota. Wrapped around dinner, the blue cue closes the day with 15-ball. Maplewood's Diddley got the better of play in game 1, although neither player looked confident. Harrison's Sydney had a mistake on the 2, scratching as she potted it to negate Diddley's early mistake and give the host a free chance at the 3-15 combination to the top right, which he made for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Diddley had to play to term in game 2, but this didn't bother him much. The Specters' Sydney had more of the problems in the game, scratching a couple of times and having to deal with impossible shots. Diddley found power in strength, succeeding with a faster shot that helped him make the last four balls over two turns for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Sydney found her shot better in game 3, and while Diddley had some good play, he couldn't match Sydney's runs. Diddley's best and worst moment was a double-pot of the 11 and 12 that ended in a scratch, allowing Sydney to make a three-ball run-out for the win, cutting the series to 2-1. Game 4 saw Sydney continue her improves play quite a bit. Diddley had some shots early in the game, but the end was all Sydney, highlighted by her five-ball run. Each player had a chance on the 15 that they missed in embarrassing fashion before Sydney made it on her second try to tie the series at 2 with her win. Game 5 saw Sydney get a bit of a weaker break, and she battled hard with Diddley for much of the rest of the game. Diddley's slightly short temper worked for him, and he made a couple of tricky shots, one with the 12 getting deflected to the bottom right and another with the 7 going to the same pocket. Diddley closed with a hard-hit four-ball run-out for the win and a 3-2 series lead. Diddley didn't get much out of the break, leading to a congested and frustrating start to the game. Diddley put the 15 close to the top right on an illegal hit, and he got lucky it didn't fall. Sydney didn't shoot for it, and this would cost her later, as Diddley won with a double-pot of the 10 to the top side and the 14-15 combination to the top right on the deflection. This clinched the series at 4-2 for Diddley. Game 7 saw Diddley break through early struggles to crank out a six-ball run. Sydney answered with a couple of shorter runs, but once again, both players struggled on the 15 at short range, and Sydney wound up with the win when Diddley scratched. Diddley still took the series 4-3, and he will host the bracket final at this venue.
That's all for today's difficult games. Tomorrow is scheduled to be a shorter day of action, with only six series to accommodate for personal commitments.
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