We're back with a delayed start today, but we still anticipate playing a full schedule of ten series. First up...
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani v. Hoot. Meteors teammates are set to battle in the red cue's last 10-ball series of the round. Dani had a clear majority of possession in game 1, with Hoot only getting an illegal double-pot followed by a miss. Dani buried a six-ball run-out after having deferred the possession, the play working to give her a 1-0 series lead with the win. Dani didn't have as good a start in game 2, watching as Hoot hit a three-ball run early on. Dani recovered after a slow middle of the game, finding her way with a five-ball run-out for the win and 2-0 lead in the series. The two teammates combined for a quick game 3, with Dani striking on a four-ball run before making illegal contact. Hoot took the ball-in-hand to spark a five-ball run-out, giving him a win to cut the series to 2-1. Hoot had an untimely scratch while shooting at the 1 in a rough start to game 4. Hoot left the 1 too close to the 10, a combination Dani readily exploited from ball-in-hand for the win to clinch the series at 3-1. Dani continued with a healthy portion of the offense in game 5, closing out the game with five balls over three turns as Hoot sputtered near the end. Dani's big win here sealed a 4-1 series that sees her visit a former Meteor and current Pronger Trident, Zach, in the bracket quarterfinals. Hoot is the 54th player out of the Tournament, making Dani's second kill a bout of friendly fire.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Jeremias v. Strut. The Southeast gets a spotlight in the second series today, as the red cue stays on for Rotation. Royal's Jeremias had a positive start in game 1, but he couldn't sustain his offense for long. Golden's Strut eventually woke up with a five-ball run, and then iced off the 8-2 win with a three-ball run-out a couple of turns later to grab the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was a much closer battle on both sides, with neither player grabbing control on offense. The Crowns' Jeremias held the lead early on, but let it go as the Pilots' Strut pulled ahead late, and then held on to win 8-7 for a 2-0 series lead. The shooting quality was no better in game 3, as Strut managed to gain a small lead before partaking in a painfully slow back-and-forth with Jeremias. Strut eventually took the win at 8-4, securing the series at 3-0 in the process. Jeremias again took the early lead in game 4, but Strut countered with a pair to tie it and a three-ball run to surge ahead. Strut then answered Jeremias' pair with a pair of his own for the 8-5 win to move up to a 4-0 series lead. Strut had a three-ball run from the break before the game devolved into the usual messy play. Jeremias gathered a couple of extra points at the end before Strut closed out another 8-5 win to make it a 5-0 series sweep. Strut will host Wings of the Central Warriors in the bracket quarterfinals. Jeremias is the 55th player to be eliminated, with Strut earning his first kill of the year.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Jennifer Livilotti v. Chelsea. Two strong players clash in 7-ball with the red cue, the last series in this event for this cue. Eastside's Chelsea had a pair of balls potted on each of her turns in game 1, but she missed on the 6, allowing Terrace City's Jennifer to make a pair at the end of the game for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Knights' Jennifer made the 2 on the game 2 break, but couldn't corral the 1. The Sharks' Chelsea needed just a shot to cut the 1 to the bottom right, with the carom tapping the 7 into the top left for the win. Chelsea's tricky double-pot tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw both players struggle to land their shots after Chelsea made a pair from the break. Jennifer eventually broke the drought with a four-ball run-out, saved by a lucky bounce that put the 4 into the bottom side after it missed at the top right. Jennifer's big run put her ahead in the series at 2-1. Jennifer had more of the offense again in game 4, a three-ball run late putting her on the brink of victory. Chelsea capitalized when Jennifer missed the 7, pounding it to the top right to take the win, retying the series at 2 games apiece. Chelsea scratched on the break in game 5, but it wouldn't cost her this time, as Jennifer only made a pair of balls. Chelsea fired back with a little luck on her four-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win. Chelsea returns to Eastside in the bracket quarterfinals to host the Maplewood Lumberjacks' Whiskers.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Shaggy v. Smudge. This series is in the family, as a mother hosts her daughter for Rotation with the red cue. Whitewater's Shaggy had a positive start in game 1 with a quick pair, but Infinity's Smudge would use two three-ball runs to get ahead. Shaggy stalled Smudge near the end, but not for long enough, as Smudge won 8-3 for the 1-0 series lead. The Torpedoes' Smudge had a dominant start with a four-ball run, and then added on to apply further pressure to the Shores' Shaggy. Smudge was slow to finish, allowing Shaggy a little offense before the host scratched. Smudge won 8-3 again, pushing her series lead to 2-0. Shaggy kept up with Smudge better in a hot start, keeping things close halfway through the game. Smudge refused to let Shaggy in at the end, rallying with a four-ball run-out to claim another 8-3 win to clinch the series at 3-0. Shaggy took the early lead in game 4, something she hadn't done since the opener. Smudge wouldn't tolerate it, tying the game relatively quickly and then using a four-ball run to pull ahead. Shaggy failed to counter this, and Smudge won 8-5 to extend her series lead to 4-0. Shaggy salvaged one win out of this series, dominating early and late in game 5, with a double-pot of the 4 and 5 to the left corners her highlight in an 8-2 win. Smudge still took the series 4-1, and will visit the Tysini Hummingbirds' Paps in the bracket quarterfinals.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Smokey. Eastern Hills stalwarts collide in 8-ball with the red cue, its last appearance of the day. Diamond's Smokey took a defensive approach in a jittery and jolting game 1, while Freedom's Stinky collected a lot of offense early on. Smokey ended up with the win, his defense stalling Stinky enough for the visitor to surge ahead for the 1-0 series lead. The two players reversed roles in game 2, with the Gems' Smokey getting quickly down to his last ball but unable to shoot around a smothering defense applied by the Cascades' Stinky. Eventually, Stinky did a four-ball run, and then potted the 8 on his next turn to beat Smokey, tying the series at 1. Stinky made a ball on the break in game 3, but the offense remained evenly matched in a more energetic battle this time. Smokey missed a tap-in on his last ball, but Stinky soon gave possession back by rattling his last ball out. Smokey then made a final pair of shots for the win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Smokey had a ball on the break in game 4, but Stinky had all the early offense with a five-ball run. Smokey chipped back as Stinky struggled, but a scratch from Smokey caused a phantom touch on one of Stinky's balls, which fell at the bottom right. Stinky made the last two shots from the kitchen for the win, retying the series at 2. Smokey had an early five-ball run shuttered by a scratch. Stinky countered on a four-ball run with collateral damage, setting up a later three-ball run-out from Smokey, who buffered his shot against Stinky's last ball successfully to avoid a scratch. Smokey's win gave him the 3-2 series win, pitting him against a club mate in the bracket quarterfinals when he visits the Midland Predators' Rainmane. Smokey has his first kill of the year in making Stinky the 56th player ousted from the Tournament.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Celestia v. Cassie. The blue cue steps in now, playing Rotation between young opponents. Oceanside's Celestia rallied early to assemble a large lead, but Royal's Cassie stayed in game 1 with a little offense at first and then a three-ball run-out to claim the 8-7 comeback win. Cassie leads the series 1-0. The Waves' Celestia had a fortunate deflected combination in game 2, bouncing the cue off the 4 to make the 12-6-11-13-10-7 to the bottom right. The Crowns' Cassie still held the lead here, but on the next turn, Celestia had a double-pot to move ahead. Celestia would finish her 8-4 win after a stretch of tough play, finding a four-ball run-out to tie the series at 1 with. Celestia had her struggles with errors in game 3, sacrificing offense and positioning multiple times. Cassie used a four-ball run to build a lead, and while a scratch near the end slowed her down, it didn't stop her from winning 8-1 to regain the series lead at 2-1. Celestia collected an early lead against Cassie in game 4, but Cassie kept close halfway through the game. Celestia pulled away at the end with a five-ball run-out, including good positioning and a double-pot of the 10 and 12 to the right corners. Celestia's 8-3 win tied the series again at 2. Cassie stayed on pattern in game 5, striking early and making it difficult for Celestia to get a clear look. Cassie had a miscue that let Celestia find some offense, but Cassie closed the door soon after that, winning 8-2 to take the series 3-2. Cassie will visit the Westside Rockers' Slinks in the bracket quarterfinals.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Katelynn v. Ms. Kitty. A pair of veterans keep the blue cue in action as they meet in 15-ball. Pacific's Ms. Kitty showed a little extra quality in game 1, keeping Lighton's Katelynn pinned at first and then making the harder late shots. Ms. Kitty's boost of offense on the last pair of shots gave her the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty had a pair of shots off the game 2 break, but missed contact on the 3 led to the Prestige's Katelynn making a six-ball run from ball-in-hand. Ms. Kitty then shot back with a three-ball run, but Katelynn won by deflecting a shot off the 12 to pot the 15 at the top right, tying the series at 1. Ms. Kitty enjoyed the slower pace early in game 3, doing most of her damage at this time. Katelynn turned to a faster attack with a four-ball run near the end of the game, but her miss on the 13 allowed Ms. Kitty to make the last pair for the win. Ms. Kitty is back in the lead at 2-1 for the series. Ms. Kitty produced at a high pace early in game 4, making pairs of shots and generally bossing possession. Ms. Kitty's pace proved unsustainable, as she faltered on the 10, and Katelynn took over for a four-ball run-out for the win to retie the series at 2. Katelynn asserted a quick pace for game 5 with her opening four-ball run. Ms. Kitty tried to keep up, and had a three-ball run near the end to make a threat. Katelynn missed on the 12 at the top side, but it drifted all the way to the bottom left, setting her up for the winning tap-in on the 15 at the top right. Katelynn won the series 3-2, and will host her bracket quarterfinals appearance.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Chelsea v. Juno. The silver cue is now up to play 9-ball in this Eastern Hills Derby. Game 1 started off rocky until Stonebridge's Juno found a three-ball run. Eastside's Chelsea promptly answered that with a four-ball run-out, getting a bit of luck on her side to pick up the win and a 1-0 lead in the series. The Sharks' Chelsea had a pair of shots from the break in game 2, countered smoothly by a three-ball run from the Wolves' Juno. Chelsea struggled from here, while Juno capitalized with a pair of shots at the end for the win, tying the series at 1 game apiece. Juno had a lackluster break in game 3, leading to a slow start on both sides. Chelsea broke through eventually, corralling a six-ball run-out, the burst of offense again sending her to a win to go up 2-1 in the series. Juno certainly didn't play well in game 4, missing or fouling on most of her turns. Chelsea lacked a big run this time, which seems to be her key to victory, and Juno took advantage of that by making the last two balls for the win. Juno's win retied the series at 2. Tension eroded the quality of play in game 5, as neither player was interested in making a critical mistake. Juno, for all her efforts to avoid it, scratched late in the game. Chelsea took the 8 and 9 from ball-in-hand for the win and a 3-2 series win. Chelsea will host her bracket quarterfinals series.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Watermelon v. Hannah. The blue cue is back in Rotation, with this series' winner getting hosting privileges next round. Pearl's Watermelon had an awful break in game 1, but used it to her advantage as Queens' Hannah rarely had a clear shot. Hannah didn't do herself any favors with errors and misses, leading to Watermelon winning 8-0 for the 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Watermelon had a better break in game 2, and also worse results for herself. The Flames' Hannah pulled away with the initial lead, and despite Watermelon's three-ball run to make it close, Hannah was able to seal off an 8-6 win to tie the series at 1. Hannah had a fantastic break in game 3, but couldn't do anything about a massive six-ball run Watermelon put on shortly after that. Hannah got closer near the end of the game, but Watermelon finished ahead 8-5 to regain the series lead at 2-1. Watermelon belted a pair on the break, and then added a couple of short runs while Hannah floundered, trying to get a grip on the game. Watermelon never let Hannah in, making the 6 deflected off the 12 to the bottom right, and a deflected 8-10 combination to the top right on the same shot for the 8-0 win to seal the series at 3-1. Hannah went rogue after Watermelon made a pair on the break, answering with a five-ball run to pull well ahead after a first turn that got her close. Hannah won 8-3 after Watermelon couldn't put the 10 in the bottom right. Watermelon wins the series 3-2, assuring she'll be home for the bracket quarterfinals.
Intel Center, Diamond: Cassandra v. Summer. The silver cue's last 10-ball series of the round is also our last series of the day. Diamond's Cassandra started with a three-ball run, but looked rattled after an illegally potted ball and deferred possession play by Maplewood's Summer. This worked out fine, as Summer would take game 1 on a four-ball run-out for the win, giving herself a 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Summer couldn't say much about her game 2 break, but she put herself in a good position by working up a three-ball run near the end. Unfortunately, she left the 10 short at the bottom left, and the Gems' Cassandra cashed in with a tap-in for the win to tie the series at 1. Cassandra had little to be proud of early in game 3, although she was happy to defer possession to Summer when Summer committed an illegally potted ball. Summer flipped it on Cassandra, who gave away possession with missed contact, but Summer's four-ball run ended with a missed bank on the 10. Cassandra drilled the 10 to the top left, a bit of a stolen win but enough to put her up 2-1 in the series. Cassandra brought the crowd to their feet with her four-ball run early in game 4, only for Summer to seat them again as she smashed a six-ball run-out to absolute perfection for the win. Summer has retied the series at 2. The two players went back-and-forth in game 5, exchanging pairs of shots as they went. Cassandra had the first pair and the last pair, winning the game after Summer rattled the 9 out of the top right. Cassandra took the tense series 3-2, and will host Beth in the bracket quarterfinals. Summer is now the 57th player to exit the Tournament, her rookie campaign falling short of expectations, while Cassandra takes the league lead in kills at 3.
Tomorrow, we will again attempt to do ten series, although it may come up short this time. If tomorrow is a short day, Friday will be full as we look to close out the round.
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