We're ready to cross the 1,000 series mark today. That milestone comes later, but we'll start with...
Google Hall, Modernistic: Kodiak v. Chimpy. Urban rivals meet in 10-ball with the green cue to open today's action. Modernistic's Kodiak didn't have a deep run, but when Westside's Chimpy missed on the 9, Kodiak was there to knock in the last pair. Kodiak leads the series 1-0 after game 1. The Rockers' Chimpy was very fast in game 2 with a six-ball run on his first turn and a pair on the next one after the Union's Kodiak came up short on the counterattack. Chimpy took a well-earned win to tie the series at 1. Kodiak pushed late in game 3 with a three-ball run, but it was Chimpy who knocked in the last pair for the win to get the 2-1 series win. Chimpy will be on the road again in the bracket quarterfinals.
Intel Center, Diamond: Leonardo v. Panda. The silver cue draws in for 15-ball in the second series. Diamond's Leonardo couldn't get much going in game 1, and Southern's Panda didn't let him. Panda had a three-ball run-out capped by a clean 6-15 combination to the bottom left for the 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Panda was a little slow in game 2 at the start, allowing some comfort for the Gems' Leonardo. Panda then battled errors in the middle of the game, but he recovered for a six-ball run-out to seal the series at 2-0. Leonardo took a risky gamble on the 10-15 combination in game 3 and it didn't connect. Panda cashed in his positive offense from earlier with an 11-15 combination to the top left to complete the 3-0 series sweep. Panda will remain on the road in the bracket quarterfinals as he visits the Lighton Prestige's Spirit.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Josie v. Potter. Outcast club-mates clash in 10-ball with the purple cue. Oceanside's Josie did decently in game 1, but Pronger's Potter had the necessary finish with a three-ball run-out. Potter's late push gave him the lead in the series at 1-0. The Tridents' Potter had a more difficult time in game 2, especially when he missed contact on a kick attempt for the 7 at the bottom side. This proved critical, as the Waves' Josie easily submitted a four-ball run-out from ball-in-hand for the win, tying the series at 1. Josie scratched on the break in game 3, and Potter made her pay for it. Potter sent the 1 to the top right, then double-potted the 2 to the top side and the 10 to the top left as called for the win. Potter won the series 2-1 and will have hosting rights in the bracket quarterfinals.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Dominic v. Steven. The 1,000th series of the year is 12-ball with the silver cue. Southern's Dominic had to weather a lot of offense form Atlantic's Steven at the start of game 1. Steven was only slowed down at the left corners, unable to corral his last ball before Dominic finished the win at the top side for a 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Dominic had a four-ball run from the start of game 2. The Pirates' Steven, under immediate pressure, couldn't get anything going. Dominic needed just a pair of shots later on to get the win, which clinched the series for him at 2-0. Steven turned it around in game 3, a deep run putting him easily ahead of Dominic. Steven finished around Dominic's defense at the top side for his lone win, while Dominic heads to the bracket quarterfinals in a hosting role.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Sally. Back in 10-ball, the green cue returns to play. Pearl's Boots dominated the offense in game 1, especially with a four-ball run in the middle. Archtown's Sally had a pair late but missed on the 10, and Boots tapped it to the bottom left for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Sally had most of the early offense in game 2, with a mixed middle leading into a four-ball run-out for the Surfers' Boots at the end. The comeback within the game helped Boots secure the series at 2-0. Sally again challenged with a late run, a three-ball effort that left the 9 up. Boots made the final pair of shots in game 3 to complete a 3-0 series sweep that allows her to host Royal Crowns rookie Sunshine in the bracket quarterfinals.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sugar v. Panda. The visitor's second series today is in 9-ball with the purple cue. Tysini's Sugar led off with a three-ball run in game 1, but didn't get a chance to attack again. Southern's Panda rattled off a six-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Panda scratched on the game 2 break and had a tough time on offense. The Hummingbirds' Sugar let him off the hook, missing the 9 multiple times before Panda cut it to the bottom left to get the win and 2-0 lead in the series. Panda couldn't keep his offense under control in game 3, allowing Sugar to escape with a pair at the end for her lone win in the series. Panda advances to the bracket quarterfinals on a 2-1 series win.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Katharine v. Midnight. Urban rivals clash in 10-ball with the green cue. Whitewater's Katharine struggled early in game 1, but recovered to make six of the last seven balls. Westside's Midnight had a chance to answer Katharine's four-ball run but fell short, and Katharine won for a 1-0 series lead. The Rockers' Midnight worked a three-ball run in game 2 before an illegally potted ball allowed the Shores' Katharine to take possession. Katharine missed her attempt at a 4-10 combination, but she would later knock in the 8-10 combination to the top left for the win, sealing the series at 2-0. Midnight actually held a majority of the offense in game 3, with a four-ball run and a pair, but Katharine's two pairs came at a better time to help her get the win and the 3-0 series sweep. Katharine will be on the road in the bracket quarterfinals.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Puff I v. Celestia. The red cue gets action in 13-ball. A bizarre game 1 saw both players pot collateral damage shots as defense was found at nearly every pocket. Modernistic's Puff I used a three-ball run to get onto the 8, but Oceanside's Celestia kicked in the 2 at the bottom side and the 8 to the top side for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia cranked a four-ball run off the break in game 2, which the Union's Puff I provided only a moderate response to. Celestia took a little positioning time, then buried a three-ball run-out for the win, securing the series at 2-0. Game 3 was a close battle, but Celestia's ball on the break provided her a little cushion. At the end, Puff I put herself in a bad position on the 8, and Celestia was able to make a pair for the win and 3-0 series sweep. Celestia will continue on the road in the bracket quarterfinals.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Leonette v. Blaze. The blue cue's lone appearance today comes in 9-ball. Pacific's Leonette made a ball on the break and stayed strong in game 1. Infinity's Blaze dazzled with a double-pot of the 3 and 8 to the right corners, but Leonette took the win with the 9 at the top side to end a three-ball run-out. Leonette leads the series 1-0. The Volcanoes' Leonette looked very good still in game 2, but it didn't work out this time. Her late miss on the 7 sparked a three-ball run-out for the Torpedoes' Blaze, who tied the series at 1 with the victory. Blaze couldn't get anything off the break, and Leonette wound up with a three-ball run-out, double-potting the 2-3 combination to the top left before sinking the 4-9 combination to the bottom left. Leonette won the series 2-1 to earn hosting rights in the bracket quarterfinals.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Bianca. The host's second outing today comes in Accuracy with the red cue. Pearl's Boots baited Southridge's Bianca into an early miss in game 1, but Bianca held true until the end. Boots faltered, and Bianca was able to hold her lead for a 2-3 win and 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was a little more competitive throughout. The Defenders' Bianca held the lead quite a bit again, but she needed a clean shot on the 14 to the bottom side near the end. Bianca converted, and the Surfers' Boots missed on the last ball. Bianca would win 2-3 again to clinch the series at 2-0. Bianca scratched on the break in game 3, and that would be the only foul or miss on the board. Boots played perfectly and took the 0-1 win to avoid the sweep. Bianca's 2-1 series win sees her continue her road run in the bracket quarterfinals.
Intel Center, Diamond: Autumn v. Cheddar. The green cue cycles in for Rotation. North Modernistic's Cheddar made a couple of lunges on offense, but Diamond's Autumn answered both times, using a three-ball run and a four-ball run-out to help her to the 8-6 win. Autumn owns a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Autumn used a four-ball run to gain the lead in game 2, and that would provide her a nice cushion. The Nighthawks' Cheddar eventually covered that damage, but Autumn would pull away again for an 8-4 win to seal the series at 2-0. Cheddar seemed best suited to get a win in game 3, building up her early lead, but Autumn tore that down as well and picked up an 8-5 win to sweep the series 3-0. Autumn will host an Eastern Hills rival in Freedom Cascades captain Stinky in the bracket quarterfinals.
Sony Center, Queens: Violetta v. Stinky. Strong players meet in the purple cue's last turn today, playing 12-ball. Queens' Violetta opened game 1 with a three-ball run and looked to have good positioning, but Freedom's Stinky turned in a remarkable five-ball run-out for the win. Stinky pulled ahead 1-0 in the series. The Cascades' Stinky had a couple of errors that put balls back on the table in game 2, but it wouldn't matter. Late in the battle, the Flames' Violetta had to play for a set-up shot, and Stinky used his next turn to win with a four-ball run-out to clinch the series at 2-0. Stinky didn't look very good in game 3 as each player blocked two pockets defensively. Violetta couldn't finish at the bottom side, giving Stinky just enough time for a comeback to finish off his 3-0 series sweep. Stinky is set to play in the bracket quarterfinals.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Princess v. Ice Cream. The red cue will also play a 12-ball series. Boston's Ice Cream held a large lead in game 1 after a big run, but she couldn't finish the game at the bottom left. Viewpoint Sound's Princess stayed in it very well and finished with three balls on her last two turns to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Princess turned it around in game 2 with a five-ball run off the break. Her last ball took some time to corral, but the Swifts' Ice Cream offered little resistance. Princess took a dominant win to secure the series at 2-0. Princess tried to play well in game 3, but a pair of scratches and a big run from Ice Cream changed that. Ice Cream won with a kick on her last ball to the top right, leaving Princess to advance to the bracket quarterfinals on just a 2-1 series win.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Bright v. Niki. The silver cue's done for today after this Accuracy set. Pearl's Bright missed once early in game 1, but he was able to get Commerce's Niki to falter late. Niki also missed on the overtime break, and Bright made his shot for a 1-2 win and 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Bright was almost perfect in game 2, and his only miss came on the last ball. The Tradewinds' Niki simply couldn't keep up, and Bright was able to get a 1-3 win, securing the series at 2-0. Bright made a ball on the break again in game 3, but he fell a little short this time. Niki challenged him as if there was something left to play for and grabbed a 2-3 win for her troubles. Bright won the series 2-1 and will host again in the bracket quarterfinals.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Precious v. Gradley. The red cue takes a spin in 8-ball to end its outings today. Pronger's Precious unleashed a five-ball run early in game 1 and added a pair on her next turn, only to stall out on the 8. Boston's Gradley added enough defense to force Precious into a scratch. Gradley would go on to win with a three-ball run-out, the unlikely comeback putting him ahead 1-0 in the series. The Tridents' Precious apparently learned nothing from before, working a six-ball run in game 2 only to fall short again. The Swifts' Gradley was more cohesive this time, using a seven-ball run and his second chance on the 8 to get the win that clinched the series at 2-0. Gradley didn't have much offense until late in game 3, but he couldn't pull off another miracle. Precious rallied with a four-ball run-out to get her lone win of the series, and Gradley will advance on a 2-1 series win to earn his hosting position in the bracket quarterfinals.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Wings v. Vincent. The day ends in 9-ball with the green cue. Everton's Vincent had a clear majority of the possession in game 1, but he butchered his cut on the 9 toward the bottom left. Pearl's Wings poached the win on a tap-in to pull ahead 1-0 in the series. The Surfers' Wings made a pair on the break before an early miss in the game 2. The Eagles' Vincent failed to deliver a run this time, and Wings nicked a 2-9 combination to the top left for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Wings did just about everything but win in game 3, scratching as she made the 8 in a failed attempt for positioning. Vincent took the free win and Wings won the series 2-1 to earn the right to host the Tysini Hummingbirds sophomore Sarah in the bracket quarterfinals. This was Wings' 100th unique opponent.
The second week of the Second Round begins tomorrow.
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