We're back for the second day of the competition, beginning today with...
Patrido Salazar v. Beth. The blue cue will have the extra series today, as an unaffiliated player faces an unheralded league veteran. Patrido opened well in game 1 with a ball on the break, but his positioning later on failed him. He tried to kick his last solid to the bottom left, but Beth answered on a three-ball run-out for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 showed many flaws for both players, most notably Beth's inability to strike from distance. Patrido still trailed and almost lost if not for Beth's miss on the 8, which allowed him to bank the 9 to the bottom side before tapping the 8 to the bottom right for the win. Patrido's desperate finish tied the series at 1. Patrido showed a craftier attack in game 3, allowing Beth some early offense before striking with a well-made five-ball run-out for the win. Patrido took the series 2-1, earning a spot in the second round.
Sweetheart v. Cassie. A veteran clashes with a sophomore using the silver cue in today's second series. Cassie had the jump on Sweetheart early in game 1, but Sweetheart's patient defense paid off when she made a late three-ball run-out to grab the win. Sweetheart leads the series 1-0. Sweetheart found a good break in game 2, leading to a quicker attack. Sweetheart pushed with a three-ball run, including two banks, before illegal contact allowed Cassie a chance at a run. Cassie missed at the top side, and Sweetheart took the 8 to the top right for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Sweetheart had a rough appearance in game 3, just managing to find her way on offense at the end after Cassie couldn't get a clear look at the last two balls. Sweetheart's 3-0 sweep sends her to the next round.
Thabo Chahine v. Richard Miller. A couple of tactically-minded unaffiliated players face off with the red cue. Thabo was unlucky to go empty on the break in game 1, allowing Richard to set the tone with an early shot for solids. Richard later made a three-ball run and beat Thabo to the 8 in a battle at the side pockets. Richard takes the 1-0 series lead. Thabo had some struggles early in game 2, but Richard saw a difficult time of getting the 6 in the bottom side, and Thabo patiently attacked until putting the 8 in a defensive spot. Richard potted the 8 illegally, gifting Thabo the win to tie the series at 1. Richard looked good early in game 3 again, composing a sturdy run. Thabo answered with a four-ball run after Richard scratched, and then he added a three-ball run-out for the comeback win. Thabo advances on a 2-1 series win.
Taylor S. v. Dani. The blue cue cycles back into action for this battle between reliable veterans. Taylor had a productive break, but Dani struck first on a five-ball run that made game 1 go much quicker. Taylor played defense, but scratched after making the last solid, and Dani sank the 8 to the bottom right to go up 1-0 in the series. Dani tried to keep up with Taylor in game 2, but Taylor's sturdy defense at the bottom right stalled Dani's offense effectively. Taylor had enough time to take the lead, but had to spar for the win with a pair of shots at the end after Dani broke free and nearly rallied instead. Taylor's win ties the series at 1. Taylor cruised with a five-ball run at the end of game 3, clearly showing a dominant stretch of offense, but she failed to review her game, and this led to an illegally potted ball found after she sank the 8. On the technicality, Dani takes the win and a 2-1 series win, a decision that left Taylor livid.
Yaozu Miao v. Hyunjae Kwak. The silver cue will administer another series with two unaffiliated players. Yaozu spent more time setting up his shots and using defense than he would have preferred in game 1, a fact proven as Hyunjae unraveled that defense at the bottom right on consecutive shots to pick up the win. Hyunjae leads the series 1-0. Yaozu again tried to play aggressive and ended up backtracking in game 2, as Hyunjae just needed a clear opportunity to spark his late push. Hyunjae made a pair of shots on consecutive turns this time, sandwiching Yaozu's desperate scratch. Hyunjae clinched the series at 2-0. Hyunjae played well at the start of game 3 after a creative break shot, but Yaozu finally brought his closer mentality, winning on a three-ball run-out. Hyunjae will settle for a 2-1 series win as he heads to the second round.
Andrew v. Slinks. A rookie meets a potentially dangerous veteran with the red cue. Andrew made a rookie error in game 1, aligning his shots for a pocket he didn't need. He had no time to recover before Slinks charged to the win for a 1-0 series lead thanks to her smarter shooting. Andrew did better in game 2 with his positioning, but a late defensive play at the top left did not go his way. Slinks plucked both of her last two stripes quickly and made the 8 to the bottom right from a distance to earn the win. Slinks secured the series at 2-0. Andrew avoided the sweep with some crafty play in a somewhat sloppy game 3. Andrew managed to keep Slinks out of good positions in the late parts of the game before burying a pair of shots for the win. Slinks will take the series at 2-1 anyway, advancing to the second round.
Dustin v. Shaggy. A superstar and a newly-minted captain are in this blue cue series. Dustin offered a good break in game 1, which Shaggy used to establish herself at the sides with solids. Dustin did get onto the 8 at the end, but he missed his one chance, and Shaggy pulled back for the win with a pair of shots. Shaggy leads the series at 1-0. Dustin had the better of play in a quick start to game 2, pacing the attack pretty well. Shaggy pulled even for a bit, but got stuck behind Dustin's defense. Dustin made a contact play that backfired, allowing Shaggy to tip the game her way as she slowly rolled ahead to get the win. Shaggy clinched the series at 2-0. Dustin attacked early in game 3 before scratching twice to slow his play. Shaggy tried to work out of trouble but couldn't do anything, and Dustin used collateral damage on a three-ball run-out to pick up the win. Shaggy will still take the series at 2-1.
Natal Badillo v. Sabino Chacon. We're back to a pair of unaffiliated players with the silver cue. Natal struck quickly in game 1, but did so with a certain air of easiness in his shots. Sabino seemed rattled by Natal's play, although Natal could have finished quicker than he did. Natal is ahead 1-0 in the series. Natal again had a good break and calm but effective play throughout game 2. Sabino had very few clear shots and hardly any positive positioning as Natal cruised to another win, sealing the series at 2-0 in the process. Sabino burst out of the gate in game 3, rallying ahead quickly, but he couldn't keep the momentum going, as Natal charged back with haste to snag the win. Natal's comeback effort gave him a 3-0 series sweep to advance with.
Klaus v. Frank Schmidt. The red cue's third series today sees a crafty league veteran face a heavy-hitting unaffiliated player. Frank hammered some shots in early, but he didn't need to do much to get the game 1 win. Klaus made a defensive play and tried to later jam the 8 out of the bottom left, which failed. Frank was gifted the win for a 1-0 series lead. Frank had a good break in game 2, but he was not patient with playing defense in the late stages. Klaus broke through after blocking the top side from Frank's last attack, and Klaus found the win with a four-ball run-out, tying the series at 1. Klaus made a pair of balls on the break in game 3, an advantage he never relinquished, as Frank couldn't line up his side pocket shots at all. Klaus had to be patient near the end, but he was rewarded with the win and a 2-1 comeback series win.
Max v. Patches. A journeyman veteran faces a longtime captain as the blue cue steps up once again. Max appeared to have the upper hand early in game 1, but he couldn't hang on as Patches took the side pockets first and had no trouble at the corners. Max couldn't get onto the 8 before Patches took the win for a 1-0 series lead. Patches had an unfortunate ending to a dominant game 2 performance, scratching as she made the 8. Max hadn't pressure Patches, but she simply took the wrong shot and ended up giving away a win. The series is tied at 1. Max made game 3 start favorably for him with a good break. Patches stalled him a bit with a defensive series in the middle parts, but Max could only blame himself for missing the 8 after a two-rail deflected bank at the top side on his last solid. Patches made a pair of shots for the win and a 2-1 series win, the entire series determined by critical late plays.
Goldy v. Hershey. The silver cue sees a superstar captain meet with a powerful but raw sophomore. Hershey had a three-ball run early in game 1, but learned not to count Goldy out at any point. Goldy made it an even game but couldn't make the 8 at the end, and Hershey converted it instead for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Goldy made sure to keep Hershey at bay in game 2, limiting his shooting potential by the end of the game as she tried to pick out a clean shot. Goldy's patience paid off when she sent the 8 to the top right for the win, tying the series at 1. Hershey took a similar stance with a four-ball run in game 3, which Goldy quickly answered to keep things even. Hershey then found his way to a three-ball run-out, earning the win and a surprise 2-1 series win to get into the second round.
Cobalt v. Jack. A strong third-year takes on a journeyman veteran with the red cue. Jack had the potential to make a deep run early in game 1, but his chance went wasted. Cobalt got the run instead, a five-ball streak that set him up to win a couple of turns later. Cobalt leads the series 1-0. Cobalt had plenty of chances to get in position in game 2, but his last solid proved stubborn. Jack didn't have to rush when he did, but a four-ball run-out sparked by a brilliant shot to the top left gave him all he needed to get the win, tying the series at 1. Cobalt made the push in game 3 after a good start for both sides. Cobalt used a four-ball run to get onto the 8, and this left Jack out of time and position. Cobalt put the 8 in the top right on the next turn, winning the game and a 2-1 series.
Rodas Cazares v. Avril. One of the best unaffiliated players takes on a shaky sophomore with the blue cue. Rodas had a slow start, but he found a four-ball run before Avril could pot a ball in game 1. Rodas then played smart and patient, picking his moments to earn the win for a 1-0 series lead. Avril had a better game 2 performance, pinning Rodas back initially. Rodas fired back well, but he couldn't finish his suit at the top side, and Avril made a pair of shots to get the win, which tied the series at 1 game apiece. Avril had the edge for most of game 3, pacing the attack on her own with great skill. Rodas made a gutsy play at the end to give Avril her last ball, and she failed to make the 8 on her turn. Rodas then converted his last ball and the 8 to steal the win and a 2-1 series win. He will visit Josie in the second round.
Nicole v. Quincy. The silver cue's last series sees the reigning MVP acting as a visitor here. Nicole couldn't keep up with Quincy in game 1, as the sophomore took over with crafty shooting in the middle of the game and found a shot on the 8 at the bottom right to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. Quincy controlled much of game 2, but he suffered the second instance of an illegally potted ball going unnoticed before he shot at the 8. Nicole ended up with the win as Quincy's closing plays were deemed illegal, which ties the series at 1. Nicole didn't have much to stop Quincy, as he continued to assert himself by getting the side pockets quickly. Quincy made sure to finish game 3 legally, doing well with that task as he took the series 2-1.
Stripes v. Shiny. Two long-term veterans of the league give the red cue a strong finale to its day. Stripes looked to have a good chance in game 1, but her strong middle gave way to Shiny making a three-ball run-out at the end after Stripes failed to pot the 8. Shiny's bold counterattack gave her a 1-0 series lead. Shiny didn't do enough damage early in game 2, allowing Stripes to take the lead. Stripes had a number of issues at the end, with scratches and tough misses, but Shiny failed to capitalize again, and Stripes managed to get the win that tied the series at 1. Shiny had an illegally potted ball in game 3, but it didn't factor into the decision, as a stalemate at the top right eventually ended with Stripes illegally potting the 8. Shiny was lucky to escape this series as the 2-1 winner.
Spencer Howard v. Wiebe Becker. The host here is the stronger of the two unaffiliated players, who have the blue cue for today's last series. Spencer took the corners quickly in game 1, but Wiebe had the 4 in the bottom side before making a five-ball run on the next turn. Wiebe blew by Spencer and potted the 8 easily for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Wiebe tried to follow up with a hot start in game 2, but he went cold when deadlocked with Spencer in a positioning battle. Spencer broke through and won on a three-ball run-out, tying the series at 1. Spencer had another good performance with a bit of patience mixed in, outlasting Wiebe in game 3 to take the win and a 2-1 series win. Spencer is the last player today to get into the second round.
We're scheduled to play both Thursday and Friday, which will likely push Premier Week 2 to the weekend.
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