This day of games will be split over Wednesday and Thursday; a separate segment in its own right without extending the two days around it. We begin on Wednesday evening with...
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Wild Thing v. Violetta. The red cue is first up, playing 9-ball in this series. Archtown's Wild Thing put up a strong defensive effort in game 1, but a scratch in the middle of the game let Queens' Violetta attack freely. Violetta ripped a five-ball run-out, easily taking the win and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Violetta had all the offense in game 2, a powerful attack and a three-ball run-out with a double-pot of the 6 to the top left and 9 to the bottom right at the end giving her the win. The Arrows' Wild Thing is down 2-0 in the series. Wild Thing had a good double-pot of the 4 and 6 at the left corners, but he scratched on the play, and Violetta took another win with a three-ball run-out. Violetta's 3-0 series sweep puts her into the third round, where she'll visit the Pronger Tridents' Precious.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Sage v. Pedey. The Yellow Derby gets a Tournament twist as these players do Rotation with the silver cue. Victoria's Sage battled with Diamond's Pedey early in game 1, as Pedey kept things close for awhile. Sage took off with a three-ball run-out at the end, good for an 8-2 win and 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Pedey had a nice four-ball run in game 2, overcoming a good start from the Spurs' Sage with that attack. Pedey then held Sage off for an 8-5 win in the end, tying the series at 1 to set up a decisive final game. Pedey started slowly in game 3, but caught up to both of Sage's surges of offense. Pedey's second rally ended up being a full comeback, as he used a four-ball run-out with a bank of the 15 to the top right to win 8-7. Pedey took the series 2-1, and will return home to host the Terrace City Knights' Jennifer in the third round.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Juno v. Klaus. This venue is busy with three of the next four series, this one an Eastern Hills derby in 7-ball with the blue cue. Atlantic's Klaus was millimeters from victory in game 1, but the 7 hung on the edge of the top right to end his three-ball run. Stonebridge's Juno tapped it in for the win, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Wolves' Juno blew her cool in game 2, steaming over a long sequence of missed shots. The Pirates' Klaus didn't immediately take advantage, but he potted the last two balls to earn the win, tying the series at 1 in the process. Juno had her moments in game 3 as well, but Klaus seemed cooler under pressure, and he made a three-ball run-out, finishing with a deft touch off of the 6 to push the 7 to the top right for the win. Klaus took the series 2-1, and will host the Commerce Tradewinds rookie Rosemary in the third round.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Cubby v. Nikolai. Down south, future club-mates collide in 12-ball with the silver cue in another Eastern Hills Derby. Freedom's Nikolai started strong in game 1, pacing himself to a decent lead before Eastside's Cubby caught up. Cubby then had a stick foul, and Nikolai made a three-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Nikolai had a four-ball run from the break in game 2, but he couldn't strike again, and the Sharks' Cubby used a three-ball run and his wild-card ball flexibility to gain the lead. Cubby won two turns later with a pair of shots to tie the series at 1. Cubby and Nikolai engaged in a brutal battle in game 3, neither player getting their preferred positioning most of the time. It took a late contact foul for Nikolai to be able to make his last ball for the win and 2-1 series win. Nikolai will be the host in his third round series.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Cobalt v. Puff I. The host begins a home doubleheader with 15-ball played with the blue cue. Stonebridge's Cobalt had a strong game 1, controlling if not dominating possession. Modernistic's Puff I got some shots in, but Cobalt won with a four-ball run-out, good for him to take a 1-0 series lead. The Union's Puff I made a small step up in game 2, infringing on the offense of the Wolves' Cobalt. Puff I used a little extra defense and a little more attack to pick up the win, never really developing a run but still converting on the 15 when she needed to. The series is tied at 1. Both players picked up the pace in game 3, with offense all over the table and frequent possession changes. Puff I ended up with the win, taking a six-ball run-out at the end to conquer Cobalt again for the 2-1 series win. Puff I will host Pacific Volcanoes captain Starlight in the third round.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Cobalt v. Charli XCX. We reach the day's split-point, as Wednesday's last series is Rotation with the red cue. Tysini's Charli had a strong game after overcoming an early spurt from Stonebridge's Cobalt. Charli rallied to the win with a five-ball run-out for an 8-3 score and a 1-0 series lead. The Hummingbirds' Charli pulled in a big run at the start of the game, and added to it on her next turn. The Wolves' Cobalt wouldn't go quietly, overcoming that whole deficit only to see Charli make a pair of shots to win 8-6 in the end. Charli clinched the series at 2-0 with this win. Cobalt avoided the sweep with a fantastic effort in game 3, rallying after a slow start to ultimately beat Charli by an 8-2 score this time. Charli took the series 2-1, and will visit the Central Warriors' Wings in the third round.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Sparkles v. Rudolph. On Thursday, we pick up again with Rotation and the silver cue. Golden's Sparkles played from behind for most of game 1, covering an early deficit but unable to stall Harrison's Rudolph near the end of the game. Rudolph potted the 14 to the top right on a slight masse shot for the 8-6 win and 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Sparkles had a renewed effort in game 2, showing up much stronger on offense with a four-ball run early in the game. The Specters' Rudolph tried to rally back later, but scratched on the 9, and Sparkles made a 9-12 combination from ball-in-hand for the 8-2 win to tie the series at 1. Sparkles and Rudolph battled closely, although Rudolph gained a large lead by double-potting the 9 and 13 at the left corners. Sparkles made a rally but also scratched, only to stay alive when Rudolph missed his first chance to win. Sparkles tied the game but also missed the winner at the top right, and Rudolph finally put the 15 in the bottom left to win 8-7 for a 2-1 series win. Rudolph will host the Queens Flames captain Crystal in round three.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde v. Pedey. The silver cue remains in action for a series of 12-ball. Capital City's Lorde showed off smooth skills in game 1, answering one early shot from Diamond's Pedey with a four-ball run, and then getting enough positioning to win two turns later with a pair of shots. Lorde leads the series 1-0. The Sharpshooters' Lorde kept up her swift attacking pace in game 2, taking the sides quickly and converting on her later shots as they were presented. The Gems' Pedey attempted a late run, but came up short, and Lorde made a pair of shots to get the win for a 2-0 series lead. Lorde had a sloppy break that saw her surrender a wild-card ball to Pedey. Lorde never really recovered from this, keeping pace with Pedey but taking the loss when Pedey exploited his flexibility for the win. Lorde took the series 2-1, and will host the Atlantic Pirates' Max in the third round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Marsell. The blue cue comes back to the table for the first half of an 8-ball doubleheader at this venue. Pearl's Boots could not keep her shots legal during game 1, and a stick foul by contacting the 7 with the cue led to Whitewater's Marsell unleashing a five-ball run-out for the win. Marsell holds a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Marsell struck a bit earlier in game 2, pounding an early five-ball run to establish his lead. The Surfers' Boots covered the initial damage just in time for Marsell to pot the 8 in the bottom side, clinching the series at 2-0. Boots absolutely shredded Marsell in game 3 after the visitor scratched on the break. Boots finished her win on a four-ball run-out to avoid the sweep. Marsell took the series 2-1, and will host the Terrace City Knights rookie Quincy in the third round.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Bright v. Pauline. The other half of the doubleheader is in 8-ball with the silver cue. Pearl's Bright struck quickly in game 1, building up a nice lead. Capital City's Pauline nearly caught up after a questionable stick foul was called on Bright, but the host shut the door over the next two turns to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Pauline had a better start to her effort in game 2, making a sustained push throughout the game. The Surfers' Bright refused to be intimidated, maintaining a narrow lead and taking the 8 quickly at the end to secure the series at 2-0. Bright couldn't get his solids around an inconveniently-placed 8 in game 3. Pauline had much more success on offense, but she got the win when Bright illegally potted the 8 out of frustration. Bright did take the series 2-1, and will host Freedom Cascades captain Jasmine in the third round.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Jason V. v. Hannah. The silver cue stays on the coast for this Accuracy series. Oceanside's Jason had the lead for virtually all of game 1, as Queens' Hannah couldn't get comfortable with her shot at any point. Jason slipped in the middle a bit, but still won 3-8 for a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Jason took a step back in game 2 despite making a ball on the break, and the Flames' Hannah made an improvement, but neither instance was enough to flip the result. Jason held on in a sloppy finish for a 4-6 win to seal the series at 2-0. In game 3, Jason fell behind in the middle on just one miss. Hannah held on until she also missed late, but Jason elected to be happy with a 2-1 series win and avoided overtime with a late miss. Hannah converted for the 1-2 win. Jason heads to the third round and a road series against a Coastal rival when he faces the Todavía Stills' Bells.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Dusky v. Strut. The blue cue closes out the split day in 15-ball. Game 1 saw neither player take a firm grip on things. Golden's Strut had a particular flaw with scratching in his game, but his stronger overall offense helped him take the win away from Archtown's Dusky late for the 1-0 series lead. Proceedings remained close between the players in game 2, with a bit cleaner play this time. The Arrows' Dusky had her chances to strike as the game progressed, but she couldn't make the 14 to get onto the 15. The Pilots' Strut won with a deflected shot off the 14 to send the 15 to the top right for the win and 2-0 series lead. Dusky had her best effort in game 3, a five-ball run and a three-ball run pacing her offense this time. It didn't matter, as Strut made a three-ball run-out at the end, banking the 14 to the top side and the 15 to the bottom left on the last two shots for the win. Strut swept the series 3-0, and will visit the Todavía Stills' Bells in round three.
That's it for the split day. Tournament action continues immediately after posting time with Day 25 of the second round.
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