We're back with pool today, and we should get four straight days of action before taking Saturday off. Leading off here...
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. A. Charlton. The silver cue makes the first appearance today in 12-ball. Golden's Charlton had a good four-ball run on her first turn, but a defensive shell by Pacific's Ms. Kitty caused Charlton to give away a wild-card ball. Ms. Kitty took off on a four-ball run-out from here, the win putting the host ahead 1-0 in the series. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty didn't get as quick a comeback in game 2, but despite gifting a wild-card ball to the Pilots' Charlton, Ms. Kitty held the edge throughout. Ms. Kitty would gain the win in the end, securing the series at 2-0. Game 3 saw a renewed effort from Charlton, who had a four-ball run and nothing else early on. Ms. Kitty played a bit more reserved and got a push at the end to take the win and the 3-0 series sweep to get to the second round.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Ruby v. Crystal. The red cue gets the next series, as captains collide in 7-ball. Queens' Crystal took game 1 rather easily, as a four-ball run on her first turn and a three-ball run-out sandwiched a miss from Archtown's Ruby, who went empty on both of her turns. Crystal leads the series 1-0. The Arrows' Ruby improved greatly in game 2, slowing play down and leaving the Flames' Crystal with mostly poor-angle shots. Crystal rarely converted, and Ruby looked much stronger in the win to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Ruby iced Crystal out of game 3, smashing the 7 into the top side on the break to secure the series in her favor at 2-1. Ruby heads to the second round with the impressive play.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Mario v. Chris. A sophomore challenges a captain in 15-ball with the silver cue. After a slow start between the two players, game 1 featured a flurry at the end, with a four-ball run by Capital City's Chris cancelled out on Mario's six-ball run-out, giving the Central sophomore the win and 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Chris took a heftier share of possession in game 2, making a few pairs of shots early before ceding ground to the Warriors' Mario. The cession was short, as Chris rallied for a five-ball run-out at the end, winning the game to tie the series at 1. Game 3 featured less runs and more balance, with a bit of a drag-race finish as Chris outlasted Mario to make the final two balls and earn the win. Chris takes a 2-1 series win to get to the second round.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Max v. Gizmo. The blue cue gets its first series today in Accuracy between veterans in new places. Game 1 saw both players do well initially, but Atlantic's Max was the first to fade, and a late scratch sealed his 1-3 loss against a dominant effort by Eastside's Gizmo, who leads 1-0 in the series. The Pirates' Max got the better of the Sharks' Gizmo in game 2, as the host played perfectly and got Gizmo to miss often enough that the result was quickly known. Max won 0-3, tying the series at 1 with the brilliant effort. Game 3 saw the missing start early for both players, and while Gizmo held a late lead, he couldn't keep it, forcing overtime. Max scratched on the overtime break, and Gizmo made a shot from ball-in-hand to win 3-4, taking the series 2-1 as well to advance to the second round.
Volkwasgen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Nibbles v. Boots. The red cue is back in action for this 9-ball series. Viewpoint Sound's Nibbles had the majority of offense in game 1, but his late three-ball run and pair of misses on the 9 weren't enough, as Pearl's Boots made the 9 on her second try for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Surfers' Boots try to play with a heavier hand, a strategy which failed despite a late three-ball run. Boots left the 9 at tap-in range for the Meteors' Nibbles, who converted to take the win that tied the series at 1. Game 3 resembled the first game toward the end, as Nibbles was in control but couldn't corral the 9, allowing Boots to swoop in and pot it late for the win and 2-1 series win. Boots' late strength gets her to the second round.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Dusty. The blue cue tags in for this 10-ball series. Central's Noelle and Golden's Dusty battled back-and-forth in a chippy game 1, neither getting a run going. Dusty left the 10 near the bottom right at the end, which Noelle tapped in for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Dusty didn't have a large share of the offense in game 2, as the Warriors' Noelle played a bit better than before, but her miss on the 10 allowed Dusty to make it on a cut to the bottom right, her win tying the series at 1. Game 3 started well for Dusty on a three-ball run, but after a contested middle portion, Noelle came out with the win on a four-ball run-out capped by a 9-10 cut combination to the top right. Noelle won the series 2-1, advancing to the second round.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Bear v. Goldy. Big-name captains clash in this series, as the red cue is in hand for Rotation. Whitewater's Bear jumped out to the early lead in game 1, but it didn't hold up against a four-ball run by Everton's Goldy, who would win the game 8-3 in the end for a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, it was the Eagles' Goldy who jumped out to a big lead, and while the Shores' Bear held her up long enough to tie the game at one point, Goldy fired back with a late pair of shots to win 8-6, securing the series at 2-0 in her favor. In game 3, Bear had numerous chances to put the game away late, but he allowed Goldy to make the last five balls over a multitude of turns, as she won 8-7 to sweep him off the bracket 3-0. Goldy will take the win into the second round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Rudolph v. Celestia. A rookie hosts a sophomore in 7-ball with the silver cue. Game 1 saw flashes of brilliance on both sides, mostly from Harrison's Rudolph early on. Oceanside's Celestia had a couple of good shots, and picked up the win late after some sloppy finishing play, good for a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw a stronger playing effort from the Waves' Celestia, who managed to overcome a late miss on the 7 with a make on her second try after the Specters' Rudolph botched a doable shot. Celestia clinched the series at 2-0. Rudolph had a good game 3, blasting in the win on a three-ball run-out to counter an earlier run by Celestia, who advances with a 2-1 series win despite dropping the finale.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Bright. A Coastal Derby brings the blue cue back for Accuracy. Pacific's Starlight made Pearl's Bright miss first, but she was unprepared for his response. Bright didn't miss again, running the score to 1-5 as Starlight fell hard to give Bright a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Starlight was down early in game 2 as well, but she held on this time, getting the Surfers' Bright to miss a couple of shots to force overtime. Here, Starlight had two more misses, and Bright sealed the game at a 3-4 win, making it a 2-0 series for him. Starlight salvaged game 3, an ugly battle with Bright that ended in her favor at 6-7. Bright still took the series 2-1 to get to the second round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Briana Livilotti v. Dewey. The silver cue jumps in for 8-ball as a rookie hosts a sophomore. Queens' Briana showed a spark at the start, but she couldn't get onto her last ball easily, and Oceanside's Dewey kept her suspended with strategic scratches. Eventually, Dewey got the breakthrough on a three-ball run-out for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Dewey had an exciting break, but he also had some collateral damage on his first turn. The Flames' Briana returned the favor on a three-ball run, and they were even late in the game. Dewey had a chance to get a run going, but he rattled the 4 out of the top right, and Briana capitalized with a three-ball run-out for the win, tying the series at 1. Game 3 could have gone either way, especially after an amazing cut by Briana on her last stripe. She ended up missing the 8, a critical mistake that let Dewey take the win and the 2-1 series win in the end.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Jennifer Livilotti v. Hoot. A more experienced 8-ball series is done with the blue cue. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot had the better start in game 1, a deep run leaving him with only one ball. He erred, and Jennifer ignited a five-ball run, but she gave possession back late by missing contact on the 8, allowing Hoot a free shot for the win and 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw a muddled mess at times, which the Knights' Jennifer emerged from first. The Meteors' Hoot tried to scratch to gain an extra pivot shot, and while he did a four-ball run, he missed the 8, allowing Jennifer to take the win with the last pair of shots, tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw a five-ball run early on from Hoot, but he couldn't finish the job, as Jennifer calmly chipped her way back into the series to get the win and 2-1 series win to put her through to the second round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Rudolph v. Hoot. The final series today is in Rotation with the silver cue. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot managed to put Harrison's Rudolph on edge quickly in game 1, but Rudolph played a frustrating defensive game, and then struck with a five-ball run-out to steal an 8-7 win for a 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Rudolph must have liked the blueprint from the previous game, as he used it again, allowing the Meteors' Hoot to get on the edge of a win before crushing his hopes with a five-ball run-out. Rudolph's double-dip in drama clinched him the series at 2-0. Rudolph jumped out to a lead on a three-ball run, but Hoot answered with a five-ball run in a quick start to game 3. The game stayed close to the end, with Hoot getting the 8-7 win thanks to Rudolph's scratch. Rudolph still takes a 2-1 series win to the second round.
That's all for today's games. We'll be back tomorrow with another standard day.
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