We've got a new day of games as we continue our preseason adventures. We should play at least four series today, beginning with...
Dani v. Hughbert v. Sparkles at Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound. Hughbert applied instant pressure with a deep run on his first turn of game 1. On the second turn, Dani claimed highs, putting Sparkles in an uncomfortable spot. Hughbert offed Sparkles, but nearly succumbed to Dani's late rally. A jammed top right saved Hughbert long enough for him to get his first win. Hughbert rallied with an eight-ball run early in game 2, and Dani took lows to keep Sparkles away from the table. No scratches revived Sparkles, but Dani got the better of Hughbert again late to take her first win in comeback fashion. Hughbert again made an early impression in game 3, and this time he worked more effectively with Sparkles to take Dani out of the game quickly. From there, Hughbert used solid defense to slow Sparkles down until he could take out her last two balls for his second win. Game 4 featured a weaker start from Hughbert, which allowed Sparkles to damage his suit of lows before Dani knocked him out on her second turn. Dani then battled with Sparkles at the end, using collateral damage and a four-ball run-out to claim her second win in a bold statement. Dani didn't give either player a chance to make an impression in game 5, instead making ten shots in a row to take out both of their suits for the win, her third of the series. Game 6 went very strangely toward the end, as Dani dispatched Hughbert early on to battle Sparkles. What was supposed to be the last shot of the game saw Sparkles pot both her final ball and Dani's final ball at the same time, but a scratch would put Sparkles in third place. Dani and Hughbert then battled, with Dani winning to earn her fourth win of the series. Dani didn't get anything on the break in game 7, and she was very close to being knocked out against a six-ball run from Sparkles, but she put her last ball in good position for safety. Hughbert and Sparkles mainly battled themselves, leaving Dani to take both of them out on a four-ball run-out for her fifth win. Dani will head to the second round, while Hughbert enters the draw with 9.5 points and Sparkles took just 2.5 points in a tough series from the third position.
Jeremias v. Mr. Snowman v. Kiwi at Kraft Forum, Royal. Jeremias got things going in game 1, but play was shaky both early on and toward the end. Mr. Snowman provided a big run on his second turn, but Kiwi stayed alive long enough to help take Jeremias out. Mr. Snowman finally knocked out Kiwi on his third attempt for his first win. Things were a bit smoother and a lot closer in game 2, with each player holding one ball on the table late. Mr. Snowman tried to take Kiwi out first, but missed his shot, and Kiwi fired back by knocking him out before ousting Jeremias for her first win. Game 3 didn't see much separation for the players. Kiwi made a big run at one point to establish herself better, but she peaked too early. Mr. Snowman took out Jeremias on one turn, and then Kiwi knocked herself out after a failed deflection shot attempt to give Mr. Snowman his second win. Mr. Snowman had a hot start with a four-ball run in game 4, and Kiwi backed him up by pushing Jeremias down the list quite a bit. Jeremias did last for awhile, but Kiwi took him out after Mr. Snowman set her up. In the end, Mr. Snowman had the better positioning and picked up a gritty win over Kiwi, his third in the series. Game 5 returned to close play, as each player lost ground in even portions. Kiwi took out Mr. Snowman first, and then beat Jeremias on the next turn after he missed his chance to get the win against her. Kiwi has her second win of the series. Kiwi messed up early in game 6, but it ended up working out for the better, as her miss on the 2 allowed Jeremias to scratch later. Kiwi had lows when it was all settled, and Jeremias was knocked out by Mr. Snowman, who couldn't quite hang on against Kiwi at the end as she picked up her third in of the series. Mr. Snowman looked to be making a lethal start to game 7, striking eight balls over two turns as Kiwi and Jeremias battled to pick up the scraps. Jeremias won that battle, promptly taking Kiwi out on the second of what became a comeback six-ball run-out for the win, his first in the series. Game 8 saw Mr. Snowman take another hot start, his trademark in this series so far, but it wouldn't matter. Kiwi protected her lows well and wiped out Mr. Snowman before striking in Jeremias' last ball for the win, her fourth in the series. Kiwi intended to ramp up the pressure at a minimum with her game 9 performance, weathering some push-back after selecting the medium set early on. Both Mr. Snowman and Jeremias fought back well, but Kiwi simplified the game by taking Jeremias out. Mr. Snowman, fighting for his series life, couldn't pot Kiwi's lone ball, and she took his two for her clinching fifth win to get to the next round. Mr. Snowman will enter qualifying with 12 points, while Jeremias has only 6 points.
Salmo v. Fluffina v. Brownie at FedEx Forum, Eastside. Fluffina was the first to establish herself in game 1, attempting to protect lows. This worked well at first, as she and Salmo teamed up against Brownie early on to get her out of the picture. Head to head, Salmo pulled away, using beneficial positioning to knock out Fluffina for his first win. Salmo attacked with even more force in game 2, making a seven-ball run from the break. Fluffina added on with a three-ball run that shut Brownie out before she could get to the table, but Salmo shot back on his second turn, making his last two balls for his second win. Brownie had the first burst in game 3, pushing the highs off the table fairly quickly. This proved to be bad for Fluffina, who succumbed to a run by Salmo later in the game. In the head-to-head portion of the game, Brownie couldn't solve Salmo's defensive play, and ended up taking herself out as Salmo recorded his third win. Brownie had a better performance in game 4, establishing herself as the defender of the lows. Fluffina selected highs on her first turn, and Salmo found himself in trouble, but Brownie settled the game on her second turn with a four-ball run-out that saw Fluffina exit first. Brownie finished Salmo off with a wicked kick on the 8 to the bottom left for her first win. Brownie tightened the series a bit more in game 5, selecting lows from her successful break. Salmo challenged by taking highs and pressuring against Fluffina, who would find herself out just before her second turn thanks to Salmo. His joy was short-lived, as Brownie made a three-ball run-out to beat him for her second win. Brownie couldn't establish herself immediately, but she ended up with lows in game 6, after Salmo claimed the medium set and Fluffina took highs. Fluffina proved dangerous early on, but a five-ball run from Brownie knocked out Salmo and mostly disarmed Fluffina. On her next turn, Brownie finished off Fluffina for her third win. Salmo got himself back on track with a big seven-ball run in game 7, taking out Fluffina early on as it continues to be a two-player series for the most part. Brownie tried to counter, but missed contact on her second turn, and Salmo won from ball-in-hand for his fourth victory. Fluffina thought game 8 would be different as she made a six-ball run on her first turn, but it would be her only chance to impact the game. Salmo shot back with a six-ball run of his own, knocking out Fluffina and leaving Brownie deeply damaged. Salmo went with a collateral damage play to clear his second turn, where he finished off Brownie for his fifth win. Salmo will play in the second round, while Brownie takes 12 points and Fluffina gets just 3 points.
Twilight v. Bright v. Debby Ryan at Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central. Twilight scratched on the break in game 1, ceding control of the early surge to Bright, who attacked well and claimed the medium set. Debby struck quickly to earn the highs, but they didn't stay on the table for long, as Debby found herself out first. Twilight tried to get around Bright's defense to no avail, as the muscly veteran took the first win after his defense held her back. Twilight countered nicely in game 2, attacking with the highs as her suit as she kept both of her opponents at bay. Debby seemed to have a good start, but she lost a lot against Bright, and Twilight took both of them out on the same turn for her first win. Bright went on a devastating eight-ball run early in game 3 to establish himself with the lows, and Debby followed up with a confirmation shot to put Twilight on the bench. Debby played defense with her last ball, and it worked, drawing a scratch from Bright that brought Twilight back in. Twilight dealt the last blow to Bright, but Debby beat her in the end for the narrow win, her first in the series. Debby made the big run in game 4, keeping her lows on the table while putting pressure on Twilight and Bright. Twilight had a chance to take Bright out but she missed the shot, and Bright would eventually knock Twilight out instead. Bright persisted against Debby and got the win when the latter couldn't strike a long shot well enough. Bright earned his second win. Twilight fought back with a vengeance in game 5, putting up a four-ball run to defend her lows. Bright selected highs despite a disadvantage, and he would pay for it on Twilight's second turn, as he was the first out. Twilight then offed Debby with a kick on the 7 to the bottom side from a tough angle, a perfect play from the host for her second win. Twilight scratched on the break in game 6, opening the door for a hot start by Debby. She selected highs after a successful start, but it was her second turn that really proved her talents, as she made a six-ball run-out, dispatching Twilight and then Bright on the last two shots to retie the series at 2-all. Debby started well with a fierce break in game 7, and Bright helped on his first turn to assure that Twilight would not participate in this game. Going head to head, Debby came out on top on her third turn with a three-ball run-out to knock out Bright. Twilight stormed back into the series after a poor break from Debby and a lack of offense from Bright. Twilight needed some time to get the other players out of the picture, but she knocked off Debby and then Bright for the win, her third of the series. Game 9 went favorably for Debby, who got to select the low set. Bright challenged at one point in the game, but Twilight dispatched him with a shot on the 11. Debby then took Twilight out by making her last middle ball, and Debby also potted her 4 to prevent a scratch on her four-ball run-out. Debby has four wins now, on the edge of advancing. Debby nearly did all the work she needed on the break turn, with a seven-ball run that completely wiped out the highs. Twilight made sure to pot a ball to keep Bright on the bench, and then she played defensively, striking cautiously at Debby's remaining balls. Twilight would complete the comeback in the end, sending the 2 a long distance to the top left for the win, her fourth of the series, which puts her even with Debby. Twilight and Debby resolved to end the series in game 11, combining to quickly take out Bright. Twilight thought this would be a good thing, but Debby made a big three-ball run-out to end Twilight's chances of taking the series. Debby goes on with her fifth win, while Twilight takes 16 points and Bright scores 10 in the qualifying pool.
That's it for today. We'll have four or five more series tomorrow.
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