We're back for another day of games, beginning with...
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Bright v. Shelley. The silver cue opens the action today with Accuracy. Pearl's Bright had a decent showing in game 1, but most notably, he was much better than Infinity's Shelley. Bright had just a couple of stumbles late, winning 2-7 for the 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Bright missed the last ball in regulation in game 2, and immediately missed on the overtime break as well, turning his lead into a deficit. The Torpedoes' Shelley answered both calls for the 2-3 win, tying the series at 1. Bright had a scratch early in game 3, but he held his ground well and got Shelley to trip up later. Bright ended up with a 2-4 win for the 2-1 series win that will allow him to host the Commerce Tradewinds' Niki in the second round.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Missy v. Blizzard. The green cue gets a turn in 10-ball. Capital City's Missy had a messy game 1, with multiple scratches and poor shooting. Harrison's Blizzard started with a three-ball run and had enough left at the end to earn the win and 1-0 series lead. The Specters' Blizzard didn't have much at the start of game 2, but she was let off the hook when the Sharpshooters' Missy missed the 7-10 combination to the bottom left. Blizzard then converted a three-ball run-out for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Blizzard had multiple miscues in game 3, giving free possession to Missy, who would win quickly with a 4-10 combination to the top left. Blizzard settled for a 2-1 series win to get into round two.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Taylor S. v. Greg. The green cue stays up for Rotation. A close start in game 1 saw Archtown's Greg keep pace initially, only for Commerce's Taylor S. to rip a five-ball run-out at the end with skill and good luck. Taylor S. won 8-2 and took a 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Taylor S. led for almost all of game 2, but she couldn't finish the effort. A pair of three-ball runs helped the Arrows' Greg accelerate his comeback 8-7 win, which tied the series at 1. Taylor S. again had a lead in game 3, and was again victimized by a late three-ball run-out from Greg, who took another 8-7 win for the 2-1 series win. Greg will visit Oceanside Waves star Celestia in the second round.
Sony Center, Queens: Crystal v. Sweetheart. Southeastern rivals meet in Accuracy with the red cue. Queens' Crystal suffered an early scratch in game 1, and Boston's Sweetheart caused some mayhem with defensive positioning. Sweetheart faltered in the middle but held on to win 2-4, going ahead 1-0 in the series. The Flames' Crystal missed on the last ball in a tied game 2, but she was lucky to see the Swifts' Sweetheart also fail. This forced overtime, and Sweetheart's overtime break was empty. Crystal made a tap-in at the top left for the 2-3 win to tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw momentum swing from Crystal to Sweetheart at the end, as it was the latter making difficult shots despite the former's positional play. Sweetheart then won early in overtime by a 1-2 score to take the series 2-1. Sweetheart will visit Stonebridge Wolves newcomer Kirstin in the second round.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Dusky. The purple cue draws in for some 8-ball. Freedom's Nikolai opened game 1 with a five-ball run and then struggled toward the finish. Atlantic's Dusky pushed back but failed to catch up, and Nikolai got the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Nikolai made a four-ball run from the break in game 2, but again stalled out. The Pirates' Dusky reacted well this time, bringing herself even. Dusky then found a four-ball run-out a couple turns later for the win, tying the series at 1. Nikolai had a steady offense in game 3, which Dusky tried to counter all at once at the end. Dusky had a six-ball run-out on her stick, but she scratched as she made the 8, gifting the win and 2-1 series win to Nikolai, who heads to the second round to host the Infinity Torpedoes' Fluffina.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Marsell v. Mario. Onward to 13-ball, with the green cue in hand. Whitewater's Marsell had a four-ball run from the break, while adding a little defense. That defense paid off, as Queens' Mario scratched and sank one of Marsell's balls after a four-ball run. With the added flexibility, Marsell easily won and took a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Marsell kept the pace high in game 2, which the Flames' Mario matched with a five-ball run. Mario twice missed on the 8, buying just enough time for Marsell to pot a pair of shots for the win that clinched the series at 2-0. Marsell had a good start to game 3, but this was Mario's time to shine. Mario made a three-ball run to get the lead, then slowly worked his way to the win to avoid the sweep. Marsell won the series 2-1 and will host Gal of the North Modernistic Nighthawks in the second round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Blizzard v. Omari. Northeastern rivals tangle in Rotation with the silver cue. A tight battle at the start of game 1 slipped out of the hands of Web City's Omari, as his missed contact led to Harrison's Blizzard using ball-in-hand for a four-ball run-out. Blizzard's 8-4 win put her ahead 1-0 in the series. The Specters' Blizzard scratched on the game 2 break. From ball-in-hand, the Spiders' Omari ignited a six-ball run to establish a huge lead. He would bring it home as an 8-2 win eventually, tying the series at 1. Omari wasn't dominant in game 3, but he was good enough to pick up the 8-2 win for a 2-1 series win over Blizzard. Omari will return to Web City in the second round, playing the visiting role versus Spiders teammate Nibbles.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Marissa v. Kiwi. The halfway point today is 12-ball with the silver cue. Maplewood's Marissa made one of each on the game 1 break, giving Terrace City's Kiwi a wild-card ball. Marissa made a three-ball run, but she benefited more from Kiwi missing at the top side twice. Marissa then made her last shot at the top right for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Marissa had a good start to game 2, and she got down to her last ball, but the Knights' Kiwi found a four-ball run and a pair on consecutive turns for the win. Kiwi's sudden blast of offense tied the series at 1. Kiwi made a four-ball run to start in game 3, and she looked safe to win. Marissa erased that safety after Kiwi missed contact. Marissa surged on a four-ball run-out for the win to take the series 2-1. Marissa will host the Midland Predators' Kitty in the second round.
Intel Center, Diamond: Debby v. Sarah. The blue cue gets its daily debut in 8-ball. Diamond's Debby fell behind Tysini's Sarah early in game 1. Debby was better through the middle of the rack, and recovered for the win in the end, going up 1-0 in the series. The Hummingbirds' Sarah had one impressive run in game 2, but a lack of support would be her downfall. The Gems' Debby stayed consistent throughout the game, enough to get the win again to secure the series at 2-0. Sarah got deep into game 3 with relative ease, but Debby wasn't far behind. Debby used a four-ball run-out to get her win, banking the 8 to the top side to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Debby is set to host Capital City Sharpshooters veteran Lorde in the second round.
Sony Center, Queens: Briana v. Slinks. Another 8-ball series uses the blue cue. Westside's Slinks made a five-ball run in game 1, but her finishing skills were lacking. Queens' Briana used a four-ball run to get close, then added a pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Briana led off game 2 with a five-ball run, which the Rockers' Slinks answered in fairly short order. Briana then made a three-ball run-out, executing her shots with a little zing to seal the series at 2-0. Game 3 started with a defensive tilt, which favored Slinks. Briana broke out on a five-ball run but couldn't make her last solid, and didn't get a second chance. Slinks ran out the last five shots for her lone win in the series. Briana won the series 2-1 and is set to host Viewpoint Sound Meteors newcomer Cobalt in the second round.
T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Strawberry v. Twilight. The silver cue exits the day in 12-ball. Victoria's Strawberry selected solids off the break, but Central's Twilight quickly made a three-ball run to establish herself in game 1. Strawberry's later errors made it easier for Twilight to collect the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Twilight had a good effort in game 2, but the Spurs' Strawberry stayed even. It all came down to the top right, and Strawberry got the inside positioning, forcing Twilight into defense. Strawberry won two turns later, tying the series at 1. Neither played immediately grabbed control of game 3 with offense, so Twilight used defense to set herself apart. Strawberry couldn't catch up after Twilight removed the defense, as the visitor converted to the bottom side for the win. Twilight's 2-1 series win sets her up to visit Southridge Defenders captain Stephanie in the second round.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Charli v. Sparkles. The red cue cycles in for 15-ball. Tysini's Charli set the tone early in game 1 with a large chunk of offense. She added a small run in the middle and won on a five-ball run-out, leaving little for Golden's Sparkles to do. Charli's dominant showing put her ahead 1-0 in the series. The Hummingbirds' Charli threatened again with a pair on the game 2 break, so the Pilots' Sparkles completely changed her style. Sparkles left bad positioning for Charli, generating her own offense off of ball-in-hand plays. At the end, a frustrated Charli accidentally clipped the 7 while aiming for the 4, and the play ended with the 15 illegally in the bottom side to gift the tying win to Sparkles. Game 3 was more of the same, as Charli had some good looks and Sparkles mixed in enough defense to keep the pace comfortable for herself. At the end, Charli couldn't make the 15, and Sparkles sent it to the top right to win the series 2-1. Sparkles will visit Lighton Prestige rookie Angelica in the second round.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Maggie v. Twinkie III. Urban rivals battle in 10-ball with the purple cue. Modernistic's Maggie made a ball on the game 1 break, and later finished a four-ball run-out with the 5 and 10 double-potted to the left corners as called. Maggie leads Whitewater's Twinkie III 1-0 in the series. The Union's Maggie didn't have it as easy in game 2. The Shores' Twinkie III chipped in with a little offense, but there was little flow to the battle. Maggie then found a three-ball run-out at the end for the win, securing the series in her favor at 2-0. Maggie couldn't keep control in game 3, faltering late. Twinkie III made the last four balls over two turns to get the win, avoiding the sweep as Maggie advanced on a 2-1 series win. Maggie will host club-mate Pauline of the Queens Flames in the second round.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Marsell v. Salmo. The host's second series today is in 15-ball with the red cue. A sloppy start to game 1 saw difficulties arise on both sides. Diamond's Salmo then unleashed a seven-ball run, just missing the 15 on a cut toward the bottom right. Whitewater's Marsell tapped it in to steal a win for a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Marsell showed a little more skill in game 2, putting some pressure on the Gems' Salmo. The visitor was up to the task, as Salmo made a six-ball run-out with a cut on the 15 to the top left to tie the series at 1 with his win. Marsell took a gamble on a 10-15 kick combination attempt, missing the play and scratching. Salmo cleaned up a 10-15 combination traditionally to the top left to win the series 2-1 in a massive upset. Salmo will visit Viewpoint Sound Meteors veteran Frosty in the second round.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally v. Briana. The visitor gets a second look today, using the blue cue in Accuracy. Queens' Briana was nearly perfect until late in game 1. Archtown's Sally tried to make Briana fall flat, but Briana forced overtime, where she lost two turns in. Sally took a tough 1-2 win to go ahead 1-0 in the series. The Flames' Briana didn't allow game 2 to get close, leaving the Arrows' Sally in tough positions throughout. Sally made a good response most of the time, but it taxed her, and she fell off the pace later. Briana scooped up a 2-4 win to tie the series at 1. Briana was behind from the start in game 3 with a scratch on the break. Sally didn't let her get back into the competition, holding a firm line for a 1-3 win. Sally won the series 2-1 and will host Boston Swifts veteran Ice Cream in the second round.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Lorde v. Sunshine. A veteran and a rookie meet in 10-ball with the green cue. Capital City's Lorde made a 3-10-4 combination to the bottom left in game 1, but the scratch turned possession to Royal's Sunshine. From there, Sunshine made a five-ball run and added the 10 on his second try after Lorde couldn't steal it. Sunshine leads the series 1-0. Game 2 was a little slower at the start, but things sped up again after the Sharpshooters' Lorde had another ill-timed scratch. The Crowns' Sunshine took over with a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand. This clinched the series for Sunshine at 2-0. Lorde had a six-ball run early in game 3, but again failed to finish. She left the 10 near the top left, and Sunshine tapped it in for the 3-0 series sweep. Sunshine will visit Harrison Specters veteran Blizzard in the second round.
We'll be back tomorrow for the penultimate day of the First Round.
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