Tournament X - Postseason Rosters

Over the weekend, the clubs and teams participating in the Clan Cup and City Cup named their playoff rosters. Here are the players who will play, and which events they will cover. 

Clan Cup
Youth Movement: Celestia (12/R), Bianca (8/13), Valencia (7/A), Dusky (9/10), Isabella (15)
Reaility: Missy (9/15), Twinkie I (7/8), Buddy (R/A), Stinky (12/13), Boots (10)
Prime: Oreo (8/15), Ms. Kitty (10/R), Goatee (7/9), Delila (12/A), Diddley (13)
Humanity Junior: Andrew (9/R), Jane (13/A), Vladimir (15), Marissa (7/10), Briana (8/12)
Humanity Senior: Niki (7/15), Dani (12/13), Yekaterina (8/A), Steven (10/R), Kirstin (9)
Enterprise: Maison (9/R), Neopolitan (12/A), Twinkie III (10/15), Kiwi (7/8), Whiskers (13)
Outcast: Nibbles (12/R), Summer (13/A), Violetta (9/15), Prism (7/10), Salmo (8)
Solid Core: Sprinkles (7/13), Leonette (8/12), Misty (R/15), Sleepy B. (9/A), Crystal (10)

City Cup
Victoria Spurs: Sage (7/8/13), Spice (12/R/15), Strawbery (9/10/A)
Golden Pilots: Max (12/13/A), Dusty (7/8/9), Sparkles (10/R/15)
Tysini Hummingbirds: Sugar (8/12/13), Charli (10/R/A), Sarah (7/9/15)
Central Warriors: Twilight (8/13/A), Noelle (9/12/15), Dustin (7/10/R)
Midland Predators: Kitty (7/13/A), Shawn (9/R/15), Americus (8/10/12)
Pronger Tridents: Spot (8/12/13), Precious (7/R/A), Potter (9/10/15)
Everton Eagles: Vincent (R/15/A), Puff III (8/10/12), Cleo (7/9/13)
Todavía Stills: Pedey (8/12/13), Easter (7/9/R), Ruby (10/15/A)
Diamond Gems: Leonardo (8/12/13), Autumn (7/9/A), Debby (10/R/15)
North Modernistic Nighthawks: Cheddar (7/9/A), Gal (10/R/15), Lionel (8/12/13)
Lighton Prestige: Spirit (8/10/A), Angelica (9/12/15), Citrus (7/13/R)
Royal Crowns: Brownie (8/12/13), Jake (9/10/A), Sunshine (7/R/15)
Archtown Arrows: Hoppy (7/12/15), Greg (8/13/R), Sally (9/10/A)
Infinity Torpedoes: Fuchsia (7/9/15), Fluffina (10/12/13), Blaze (8/R/A)
Boston Swifts: Gradley (8/9/10), Sweetheart (R/15/A), Ice Cream (7/12/13)
Whitewater Shores: Shaggy (7/R/15), Katharine (8/10/A), Marsell (9/12/13)

The Clan Cup is currently scheduled for October 5, while the City Cup is expected to be played from October 8-11.

Tournament X - Finals Phase D

The Championship series are here, where nine (or possibly eight) winners will punch their tickets to Tournament of Champions. Leading off...

AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Celestia (B) v. Jack (P). The first champion of the day will be in 12-ball. Web City's Jack yielded a wild-card ball in game 1, and that gave Oceanside's Celestia just enough flexibility to hang on for the win. Celestia has a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia had a solid break in game 2, but couldn't generate much after that. The Spiders' Jack ripped a five-ball run and then ended on the next turn at the bottom left to tie the series at 1. Jack kept his offense strong in game 3, starting off with solids and working around the table. A scratch slowed Celestia, and she just missed a chance at a late run. Jack finished with a pair at the right corners to go ahead 2-1 in the series. Jack yielded a wild-card ball at the start of game 4, and Celestia punished that at the end. She blocked Jack's play at the top side, then turned in a three-ball run-out for the win to retie the series at 2. Celestia produced a lot of offense on the game 5 break, and Jack wasn't able to get anything going. Celestia finished with a three-ball run-out again to pull ahead 3-2 in the series. Celestia didn't make things easy on herself with a scratch in game 6, but Jack was too far back to challenge. Celestia had time to make her last pair of shots without trouble, securing the series at 4-2. Celestia didn't need to do anything special in game 7, and she wasn't able to find much offense. Jack salvaged a result with a three-ball run-out, leaving Celestia as the 12-ball champion on a 4-3 series win. Jack is 164th player out, and Celestia has four kills. The Spiders are the 23rd team depleted of bids.

Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sugar (R) v. Twilight (P). We'll crown the 13-ball champion next. There was nothing pretty about game 1 for either player, but Central's Twilight will regret an overfill at the top side. Tysini's Sugar mostly took over after that and earned a slow win to take the 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Twilight did a little better early in game 2, but the Hummingbirds' Sugar answered on a four-ball run. Two turns later, Sugar made the final pair for the win to extend her series lead to 2-0. A somewhat slow start in game 3 turned into Sugar ripping a five-ball run in the middle. Twilight couldn't match that pace, and Sugar emerged with a win and 3-0 series lead. Sugar was a little slower after a scratch at the start of game 4, but Twilight couldn't break Sugar's defense at the end. Sugar worked a four-ball run-out for the win, clinching the series at 4-0. Twilight worked a three-ball run in game 5, but positioning at the end held her back. Sugar was patient and found a four-ball run-out late for the comeback to stretch her series lead to 5-0. Sugar had struggles with positioning in game 6, but she still kept things close until she missed on the 8. Twilight made the final pair to avoid the sweep, cutting Sugar's series lead to 5-1. Sugar again faltered late in game 7, missing multiple chances to push for the victory. Twilight wasn't sharp either, but good enough to get another win. Sugar won the series 5-2 as the 13-ball champion. Twilight is the 165th eliminated player, while Sugar has two kills. The Warriors are the 24th team done.

Apple Center, Todavía: Easter (G) v. Sweetheart (P). Next up is Rotation between Prime club-mates. Boston's Sweetheart took the early lead in game 1, then faded a bit before recovering late to get an 8-6 win over Todavía's Easter. Sweetheart leads the series 1-0. The Swifts' Sweetheart again grabbed the lead in game 2, but the Stills' Easter pushed on a three-ball run to tie it late. Sweetheart then put the 15 in the bottom right for an 8-7 win that gave her a 2-0 series lead. Easter got back into things as Sweetheart scratched on the break in game 3. Easter led wire-to-wire with an 8-5 win cutting Sweetheart's series lead to 2-1. Easter didn't follow up so well in game 4, allowing Sweetheart to dictate play again. Sweetheart pulled away at the end for an 8-4 win, pushing her series lead to 3-1. Sweetheart held the lead after a three-ball run in game 5, but she wasn't able to finish it off. Easter played dangerously and barely escaped with an 8-7 win to pull back to a 3-2 deficit. Easter made three balls on the break in game 6, but that was all she could muster. Sweetheart won with an eight-ball run-out on her first turn for the 8-3 win to create a 4-2 series lead. Sweetheart took it easy in game 7, and Easter was able to march her way to an 8-2 win. Sweetheart is the Rotation champion by a 4-3 series score, and Easter is the 166th player out this year. Sweetheart has four kills.

Sony Center, Queens: Mario (G) v. Kitty (R). Southeastern rivals battle for the 7-ball title. Queens' Mario had trouble early on and then scratched after an unlikely cut on the 7 to the bottom left. Midland's Kitty took the gift to reward her previous four-ball run, giving her a 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Mario had another late foul in game 2, this time missing contact on the 6. The Predators' Kitty stepped in to make the final pair from ball-in-hand for a 2-0 series lead with the win. Kitty brought an early finish in game 3, converting her second trick attempt on the 7 with a deflection off the 3 to drive it to the bottom side. Kitty leads Mario 3-0 in the series. Mario had a three-ball run in game 4, but that was all he could offer. Kitty picked up the pace at the end to get another win, sealing the series in her favor at 4-0. Mario got on the board in game 5 with a pair of three-ball runs to finally shake off his disappointment from game 1. Mario's win helped him avoid the sweep as Kitty now leads 4-1. Kitty got back on track in game 6, converting a pair of shots at the end after Mario was unable to secure the 6. Kitty stretched her lead to 5-1. Mario got another game back in game 7, working a five-ball run-out with some sharp cuts to leave Kitty on a 5-2 series win. Kitty is the 7-ball champion and now has five kills while Mario is the 167th ousted player. Celebrity is the 5th club to run out of bids, while the Flames are the 25th team to exit.

Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Juno (S) v. Spirit (B). The visitor's first of two title bids is here in 10-ball. Stonebridge's Juno made quick work of game 1, finishing on a four-ball run-out with a 7-10 double-pot combination to the bottom side to earn the 1-0 series lead over Lighton's Spirit. The Prestige's Spirit had an awkward play on the 5 in game 2, and that led to a 5-10 combination lining up at the bottom right. The Wolves' Juno converted that shot for the win, going up 2-0 in the series. Juno blew a contact play on the 5 in game 3, finally giving Spirit something to work with. Spirit submitted a four-ball run-out for the win to cut the series to 2-1. Juno had a three-ball run in the middle of game 4, but she left herself no position on the 8. A missed contact foul allowed Spirit to work a three-ball run-out from ball-in-hand for the win to tie the series at 2. Juno had a pair of three-ball runs in game 5, but she suffered a critical failure with her miss on the 10 at the bottom right. Spirit cleaned it up at the top side for a win to pull ahead 3-2 in the series. Juno enjoyed a majority of the offense again in game 6, and this time she was able to cash in as Spirit faltered on her shots. Juno has retied the series at 3. Juno stepped up at the end of game 7 to strike down a pair of shots for the win, leaving Spirit with the loss. Juno won the series 4-3, assuring their will be nine champions this year as she represents 10-ball in the Tournament of Champions.

Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit (G) v. Precious (S). The host completes her doubleheader in a marquee series of Accuracy. Pronger's Precious didn't budge from perfection in game 1, while Lighton's Spirit missed her last two shots. Precious won 0-2 for a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit wrangled control away from the Tridents' Precious early in game 2, and that helped Spirit dictate the pace of play. Spirit was able to nab a 1-4 win this time, tying the series at 1. Precious got a little too tense in game 3, failing to make the simple plays. Spirit took advantage of it and then held on amid a late fade to get the 3-4 win for the 2-1 series lead. Precious thought she had Spirit done with in game 4, but Spirit's savvy positioning play forced Precious to fall behind on the last ball. Spirit converted for a 2-3 win and leads the series 3-1. Spirit used a double-pot to gain the last-shot advantage in game 5, but Precious scratched while making a shot to take it back. At the end, Spirit missed late, and Precious won 1-2 to pull back in the 3-2 series. Spirit made an absolute mess of game 6, but still almost got away with it as Precious was only marginally better. Precious didn't trail, but escaped with a 5-6 win to tie the series at 3. Precious was on the ropes late in game 7 as Spirit just needed to convert the last ball to win. She failed, and Precious forced overtime, where Spirit went with a soft break and got nothing. Precious then slammed into the cluster to get the winning point for a 3-4 win and 4-3 series win as the Accuracy champion. Spirit is the 168th player out, and Precious has three kills. The Prestige are the 26th team out.

Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Missy (P) v. Jake (B). The first of the premier titles is in 9-ball. Capital City's Missy found a three-ball run in the middle of game 1, but couldn't finish it off. Royal's Jake picked up the 9 instead for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Jake fired off a five-ball run to start game 2, followed by the Sharpshooters' Missy making a pair before a scratch. Jake then added the final pair for the win, going ahead 2-0 in the series. Jake made quick work of game 3, potting a pair on the break before delivering a 1-9 kick combination to the bottom side on the next shot. Jake's series lead over Missy is at a dominant 3-0. Missy wasn't able to find any momentum in game 4, fouling almost as often as she converted a shot. Jake was able to run away with another win on a four-ball run-out, clinching the series at 4-0. Jake added on again in game 5, as Missy scratched while attempting a kick on the 5. Jake took the ball-in-hand on the 5 and added a 6-9 combination to the top left to go ahead 5-0 in the series. Jake wasn't able to keep the sweep opportunity going, as Missy stood up for a three-ball run-out capped by a 6-9 combination to the top left in game 6. Jake remains ahead 5-1 in the series. Missy got another for the road in game 7, making a four-ball run and adding the 9 on the next turn. Jake won the series 5-2 anyway and will be the 9-ball champion this year. Missy is the 169th eliminated player, and Jake has four kills. The Sharpshooters are also the 27th eliminated team.

Chevrolet Center, Everton: Vincent (B) v. Sarah (R). Club-mates tangle in 15-ball. Everton's Vincent made a couple too many errors in game 1, and Tysini's Sarah eventually decided to pot the 8-15 combination to the top right on ball-in-hand. Sarah leads her former teammate 1-0 in the series. The Hummingbirds' Sarah was unlucky to get called for illegal contact when both players bizarrely ignored the 1 at the top side. The Eagles' Vincent settled in well and made a four-ball run-out at the end to tie the series at 1. Vincent tried to work out some tricks after his offense dried up in game 3. He attempted a 12-15 bank combination to the top side from a bad angle, but it failed, and Sarah made the 15 to the same spot on a deflection for the win. Sarah leads the series 2-1. Vincent had a brutal blunder on illegal contact, which set the 15 in motion to carom all the way into the top right on a slow roll. This gifted Sarah another win, giving her a 3-1 series lead. Sarah had most of the offense in game 5, working a four-ball run and a five-ball run before a poorly-timed scratch. Vincent then made the 13 and 15 on separate turns to steal the win, pulling back to a 3-2 series. Vincent kept himself in it again in game 6, as Sarah wasn't sharp enough in the middle to break up Vincent's momentum. At the end, Vincent won on a five-ball run-out to tie the series at 3. It could have gone either way in game 7, but it was Vincent's positioning play that became a scratch as he sank the 14. Sarah took the 15 for free, winning the game and the 4-3 series to advance as the 15-ball champion. Sarah will lead the league with nine kills this year, making Vincent the 170th ousted player. The Eagles are the 28th team done.

Apple Center, Todavía: Pedey (G) v. Gradley (R). The final series of the regular season is for the 8-ball championship. Todavía's Pedey kept the pace up in game 1, although Boston's Gradley pushed him hard. Gradley was a little short on his last shot, and Pedey made a three-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Swifts' Gradley took over game 2 on a four-ball run, but had nothing left on the 8. He missed a few times, then scratched when he made it to gift the win and 2-0 series lead to the Stills' Pedey. In game 3, Pedey took stripes on the break but lost three shots later as his cluster-buster caught the 8 into the top left. Gradley didn't take a shot as he got on the board in a 2-1 series. Pedey got himself back on track with a five-ball run in game 4. Gradley had some chances to make noise, but Pedey shut him down in his win to produce a 3-1 series lead. An early battle saw both players come away on nearly level terms before Pedey took a scratch. Gradley fired off a three-ball run-out after that for the win, staying alive but trailing 3-2 in the series. Another even start saw Gradley pull away a little quicker this time, and Pedey was unable to catch up with him. Gradley buried the 8 in the bottom left for the win to tie the series at 3. Gradley grabbed the early lead in game 7, putting Pedey under immense pressure. Pedey rallied and got down to his last ball, but he took out the 8 illegally at the end, gifting the 4-3 series win to Gradley. Pedey is the 171st and final player to exit in the regular season portion of the Tournament, while Gradley picked up his sixth kill and also team-killed the Stills as the 29th and final team out of bids. 

That's it for the regular season. For now, the league will take a break after an unprecedented push to complete the Tournament. The playoffs are loosely expected to begin on October 4.

Tournament X - Finals Phase C

We're onto the podium today, as the losers of these nine series will finish third in their events. Leading off...

Ford Forum, Pronger: Precious (S) v. Summer (B). The first series today is in Accuracy. Pronger's Precious failed to maintain her lead in game 1 initially, but she got by in overtime when Maplewood's Summer missed after forcing the extra rack. Precious won 3-4 for a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Tridents' Precious scratched on the break and never recovered. The Lumberjacks' Summer played better in a 1-4 win, tying the series at 1. Both players had chances to assert control in game 3, but neither was able to. This led to overtime, where Summer put up a good stand before Precious locked in another 3-4 win to regain the series lead at 2-1. Precious took a turn toward perfection in game 4, giving Summer no margin for error. Summer wasn't up to that standard, and Precious collected a 0-2 win to go ahead 3-1 in the series. Precious fell behind early in game 5, but did enough to tie it before the end. Precious then missed on the last ball, and Summer tapped it down for a 3-4 win to cut the series to 3-2. A low-event game 6 saw Precious trailing after an early miss. She kept things close and got Summer to falter twice late, giving Precious the 1-2 win to clinch the series at 4-2. Precious and Summer delivered another thrilling battle. It was tied going into the final ball, so Precious sportingly missed to allow Summer the 1-2 win. Precious won the series 4-3 and will visit the Lighton Prestige's Spirit in tomorrow's championship series. Summer is the 155th player out, and Precious now has two kills. Outcast is also the third club out, while the Lumberjacks are the 18th team to fall.

Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit (B) v. Crystal (R). Next up is 10-ball between two in-form veterans. Lighton's Spirit pushed a five-ball run early in game 1, but missed twice on the 10. Queens' Crystal battled back to make it on her second try for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Crystal kept the momentum up in game 2, attacking for most of the offense, but her miss on the 8 was costly. The Prestige's Spirit interjected with an 8-10 combination to the bottom right for the win to tie the series at 1. Crystal again found a lot of offense in game 3, working a late four-ball run. She missed on the 9, and Spirit checked in for the final pair to get the win, going ahead 2-1 in the series. Crystal had a lot of the early offense in game 4, but that's become Spirit's strategy. At the end, Crystal missed a kick on the 7, and Spirit ignited a four-ball run-out for the win to go ahead 3-1. Crystal couldn't get any offense going in game 5, and Spirit supplemented her early pair with an eight-ball run-out for another win. Spirit sealed the series at 4-1 in the process. Spirit needed just three shots to add game 6 to her tally, sinking a ball on the break, the 1 at the bottom right, and the 2 and 10 on a double-pot deflection to the left corners. Spirit's series lead stands at 5-1. Crystal was unable to salvage one more result in game 7, getting a look on the 10 but sending it wide of the top left. Spirit tapped it in for the win and 6-1 series win. Spirit will visit the Stonebridge Wolves' Juno in the championship series. Crystal is the 156th player done, and Spirit has rejoined the kills lead at seven.

Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight (P) v. Pounce (S). The visitor's knee injury is healed and he'll return to the 13-ball ladder here. Central's Twilight was good early in game 1, but Southern's Pounce shut her down late. Pounce used the 8 to block Twilight's last pocket, then converted on the next turn for the win. Pounce leads the series 1-0. The Warriors' Twilight didn't tolerate her early loss, battling back stronger in game 2. The Monarchs' Pounce had a couple of fouls that slowed him down, and Twilight took an easy win to tie the series at 1. Twilight had a big break in game 3, and she worked on solids from there. Pounce was able to make it interesting near the end, but Twilight took the final pair for the win and 2-1 series lead. Twilight was decent early in game 4 and added a late three-ball run in a comeback effort. Pounce controlled everything else, finishing with the 8 at the top left to get the win and retie the series at 2. Pounce had good defense in game 5, but he removed it too soon. Twilight eventually earned a ball-in-hand and made three balls over two turns to get the win, restoring her series lead at 3-2. Twilight led off with a three-ball run, which Pounce quickly answered. Game 6 then became a battle of set-up work, with Twilight narrowly missing a complex bank to the top right. Pounce nearly got the win, but his cut on the 8 rattled out of the bottom right and Twilight made a pair for the win to secure the series at 4-2. Pounce got one more in a strong performance in game 7, but Twilight kept it close right to the end. Twilight still won the series 4-3 and will take on Reality club-mate Sugar for tomorrow's championship series. Pounce is the 157th eliminated player, giving Twilight four kills this year. Solid Core is the fourth club done and the Monarchs are the 19th team finished as well.

Sony Center, Queens: Briana (B) v. Gradley (R). The fourth series of the day is in 8-ball. A shaky game 1 got broken up with Boston's Gradley pulling off a blasted triple-pot at the left corners. That sparked his five-ball run, and he won two turns later for the 1-0 series lead over Queens' Briana. The Swifts' Gradley established himself with a five-ball run to open game 2 as well. The Flames' Briana got some offense back, but Gradley was far too fast to catch in another win that gave him a 2-0 series lead. Gradley slowed down a touch overall in game 3, but still went at a healthy pace. Briana came alive with a late three-ball run that saw her double-pot the 12 and 15 to the top right and top side, but her shot on the 11 was short at the top left. Gradley then made the 8 to the bottom right for the win, going up 3-0 in the series. Briana looked her best in game 4 by making seven balls over two turns early on. Gradley then delivered his most devastating attack yet, rallying all the way back on an eight-ball run-out for the win to clinch the series at 4-0. Gradley continued to play with pace, but Briana was better this time, smashing a three-ball run-out at the end to get on the board. Gradley's series lead stands at 4-1. The intensity of play dropped a bit in game 6, but Gradley still brought offense at the end on a three-ball run-out to defeat Briana. Gradley stretched his series lead to 5-1. Both players had five-ball runs to get onto the 8 in game 7, but both missed on their first tries. Gradley then cut the 8 to the bottom left for a 6-1 series win, allowing him to continue his journey to visit the Todavía Stills' Pedey in the championship series. Briana is 158th player out, and Gradley is up to five kills. This was Gradley's 100th unique opponent.

Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sarah (R) v. Spice (P). A Southwestern derby in 15-ball is in the middle of the day's action. Tysini's Sarah was doing fine in a close game 1 until she scratched while making the 14. Victoria's Spice took the 15 from ball-in-hand for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Spurs' Spice tried to get fancy on a 4-15 combination toward the top side, but the 10 lightly blocked it away. The Hummingbirds' Sarah shot right back and converted that play herself for the win to tie the series at 1. Sarah rallied in game 3, but it was choppy at times. She missed the 11 at the bottom side, allowing Spice to push back on a three-ball run-out and grab the win. Spice leads the series again at 2-1. Spice had a surge late in game 4 with a four-ball run and a three-ball run on her last two turns. She missed on the 14, and Sarah stepped in for the final pair to take the win that retied the series at 2. Sarah had plenty of awkward misses in a much slower game 5, but it was Spice leaving the 15 short of the top left that decided the game. Sarah put it down with a tap-in, pulling ahead for the first time in a 3-2 series. Spice survived the elimination threat in game 6, fending off Sarah's seven balls over two late turns. Spice made the 14 and 15 at the end for the win to even the series once more at 3. Sarah turned up the offense in game 7, finding six balls over her last two turns to block out Spice in the decisive battle. Sarah won the series 4-3 and will visit club-mate Vincent of the Everton Eagles in the championship series. Sarah retook the kills lead with eight, and Spice is the 159th player done.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Max (G) v. Jack (P). In 12-ball, two solid veterans collide. Golden's Max found a groove early in game 1, and his late positioning was better than that of Web City's Jack. At the end, Max made a pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Max had a bit more trouble with positioning in game 2, unable to line things up just right on his last two balls. The Spiders' Jack took care of business this time, setting up and finishing at the bottom side to tie the series at 1 with his win. In game 3, Jack was the one caught out of position late. He needed just the bottom side but never got a good look, and an error allowed Max to make his final pair for the 2-1 series lead. Jack delivered a big performance in game 4, which saw both players carrying a wild-card ball at the end. Max couldn't get anywhere off the break, and Jack attacked well enough for the win to tie the series at 2. Jack came within a shot of getting the series lead, but his play on the 13 at the top right went wide. Max then sank the 7 to the top side and double-potted with the 5 banked into the bottom side for the win and 3-2 lead in the series. Max scratched early in game 6, while Jack smacked a five-ball run. Max pulled almost all the way back on a late three-ball run, but couldn't sharply cut the 9 to the top left. Jack then finished at the bottom right for the win, tying the series again at 3. Jack picked the right time to grab a series lead, controlling play in game 7 from the start. Max tried to fake contact with a stick foul in a desperate move at the end, but Jack got ball-in-hand to win on a three-ball run-out. Jack took the series 4-3 and will visit the Oceanside Waves' Celestia in tomorrow's championship. Jack is up to five kills while Max is the 160th ousted player this year. The Pilots are also the 20th team out of bids, but look comfortably in the City Cup playoffs.

Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Sweetheart (P) v. Blaze (R). Rotation is next between a veteran and a rookie. Boston's Sweetheart weathered an early attack from Infinity's Blaze before turning it around on him. Sweetheart finished her 8-4 win on a three-ball run-out to lead the series 1-0 after game 1. The Swifts' Sweetheart buried a pair of three-ball runs in game 2, and the Torpedoes' Blaze could barely scrap for contact plays. Sweetheart ended up with an 8-0 win and 2-0 series lead. Blaze took the early lead in game 3 on a five-ball run, and he added a little more after that. Sweetheart then bounced back with force and venom, winning 8-6 on a six-ball run-out. Sweetheart extended her series lead to 3-0. Blaze got on the edge of victory in game 4, but he missed on the 13. This was a mistake he couldn't afford to make, and Sweetheart punished it with a three-ball run-out for the 8-7 win. Sweetheart clinched the series at 4-0. Blaze finally found a way to hold off Sweetheart in game 5, but that may have been because Sweetheart eased up with the series already decided. Either way, Blaze won 8-3 to get on the board in a 4-1 series. Sweetheart fired back with force in game 6, rallying for the early lead and then kicking in the 8-10 combination before adding the 8 at the top left to complete her 8-1 win over Blaze. Sweetheart's lead is 5-1 in the series. Blaze came out strong in game 7, building a massive lead. Sweetheart got three balls back, but Blaze won 8-3 and forced Sweetheart to end with a 5-2 series win. Sweetheart heads to Todavía tomorrow to oppose club-mate and Stills captain Easter in the championship. Sweetheart collected her third kill while Blaze is the 161st player to exit the Tournament. The Torpedoes are the 21st team out of bids.

T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Strawberry (R) v. Jake (B). We've got 9-ball here between under-the-radar players. Things were very slow to start in game 1, but Royal's Jake was able to carve out a five-ball run-out in the end for the win and 1-0 series lead over Victoria's Strawberry. The Crowns' Jake remained solid early in game 2, then turned up the offense with a four-ball run-out to again get the better of the Spurs' Strawberry. Jake leads the series 2-0. Things were more even in game 3, leading to a closer and faster battle between the players. Strawberry struck at the end with a pair of shots, including her bank on the 9 to the bottom left for the win. Jake's series lead has been halved to 2-1. Strawberry couldn't maintain that pace on her attack, and she staggered through the start of game 4. She did make a four-ball run, but missed contact allowed Jake to take over for a three-ball run-out and the win. Jake now leads the series 3-1. Jake had the edge initially in game 5, but he missed on the 7. Strawberry made a three-ball run-out despite awkward positioning on the 9, and her win cut the series back to 3-2. Jake gashed a five-ball run early in game 6, then added a three-ball run-out after Strawberry failed to establish a counterattack. Jake's win sealed the series in his favor at 4-2. Jake added on with a dominant effort in game 7, rushing an eight-ball run-out at the end to complete a 5-2 series win over Strawberry. Jake is set to visit Capital City Sharpshooters mainstay Missy in the championship series. Strawberry is the 162nd player to fall, and Jake has recorded three kills. The Spurs are the 22nd team done, but appear to have clinched the top seed in the City Cup playoffs, as well as the Governor's Cup title.

Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Hershey (B) v. Kitty (R). Today's finale is in 7-ball. Stonebridge's Hershey worked up a nice result in game 1 with a four-ball run-out, capitalizing on shaky shooting from Midland's Kitty. Hershey leads the series 1-0. The Predators' Kitty fired right back in game 2 with a massive six-ball run-out, capitalizing on the Wolves' Hershey taking away his own positioning. Kitty's win tied the series at 1. Hershey managed a three-ball run early in game 3, but that wasn't enough after his miss on the 5. Kitty buried her own three-ball run-out for the win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series in the process. Kitty had a brutal game 4, narrowly missing the 7 on the break at the top side. She then made six balls over two turns but scratched as she potted the 6. Hershey took the 7 for free to retie the series at 2. Kitty had another ill-timed foul with her scratch on the 4 in game 5. Hershey then made a pair of shots before flubbing his attempt on the 7, and Kitty got the win anyway to regain the series lead at 3-2. A back-and-forth game 6 battle saw Hershey slip from his established pace from earlier. Kitty found enough offense of her own to get the win with a pair at the end to secure the series at 4-2. Hershey ripped a six-ball run-out to get the win in game 7, limiting the damage to a 4-3 series win for Kitty. In tomorrow's championship, Kitty will visit the Queens Flames' Mario. Kitty is up to four kills and Hershey is the 163rd eliminated player. 

Tomorrow, the regular season ends and the nine Event Champions will be crowned.

Tournament X - Finals Phase B

Action comes fast in the Finals, with the second phase playing today. The green cue won't be used. First up...

IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Peach (B) v. Blaze (R). The opening series today is in Rotation. North Modernistic's Peach attacked with a four-ball run at the start and cruised to an 8-1 win over Infinity's Blaze in Game 1. Peach leads the series 1-0. The Torpedoes' Blaze made a massive push after a close start in game 2. Blaze rallied for a six-ball run-out and an 8-2 win over the Nighthawks' Peach, impressively tying the series at 1. Game 3 saw Peach start fairly well, but Blaze brought a fractured offense to keep it close at first. Blaze continued to chip in and took over for an 8-4 win to go ahead 2-1 in the series. Blaze and Peach again scrapped for possession early in game 4. At the end, Blaze had a slight edge when Peach missed on the 7. Blaze then took over with a three-ball run-out to close with an 8-3 win to move ahead 3-1 in the series. Blaze rolled on without trouble in game 5, winning 8-2 as Peach sent a majority of her shots off target. Blaze's dominant victory gave him the series at 4-1. Blaze piled on with another fantastic effort in game 6, working his way steadily to an 8-1 win that put him up 5-1 over Peach. Blaze let game 7 get away from him, his hot start not quite enough to hold off Peach's rally for an 8-6 win. Blaze still took the series 5-2 and will meet the Boston Swifts' Sweetheart for a Rivalry series in the next phase. Blaze has three kills, while Peach is the 147th player out and the Nighthawks are the 17th team done.

Home Depot Forum, Web City: Jack (P) v. Nibbles (R). Next up is a series of 12-ball between Spiders teammates. Jack struck on the break in game 1, but he got a second stripe stuck near the bottom left. He tried to clear it out, but couldn't do it, and Nibbles made his final pair instead for the win. Nibbles leads the series 1-0. In game 2, Nibbles had a similar break to Jack's from game 1, and Nibbles made it worse by giving up a wild-card ball. Jack scratched the wild-card ball back onto the table, but still had better positioning at the end to get the win that tied the series at 1. Game 3 was as close as any, with a few mistakes on early shots leading to a close positioning battle. In the end, Jack made his final pair just before Nibbles could, giving Jack the 2-1 series lead. Late drama popped up again in game 4, as Jack and Nibbles were even right to the finish. The final shot saw Jack try to deflect a play at the bottom side, but he missed and sank Nibbles' last ball to give away the win. The series is tied again at 2. Jack efficiently work left to right across the table, and he got some help from a pair of scratches by Nibbles. This erased the wild-card ball Jack gave away before he kicked the 6 into the top right. Jack regained the series lead at 3-2. Jack had plenty of time to get the win in game 6, but he missed a kick on the 6. Nibbles had missed contact three times on the 14, but was able to intentionally scratch late to get in position for the win. Nibbles made the 15 to the bottom side from ball-in-hand after Jack's foul, taking the win to tie the series again at 3. Nibbles gave up a wild-card ball on the break in game 7, and Jack made great use of it as he won just three turns later. Jack took the series 4-3 and will visit the Golden Pilots' Max in the next phase. Nibbles is the 148th eliminated player, giving Jack his fourth kill.

HP Field Events Center, Midland: Americus (P) v. Crystal (R). We've got 10-ball for this series. Queens' Crystal had a five-ball run in the middle of game 1, but anything could have happened after that. Midland's Americus will regret her scratch while sinking the 9, which allowed Crystal a free play on the 10 for the win. Crystal leads the series 1-0. The Predators' Americus made the 1 in an uncalled pocket in game 2, and the Flames' Crystal elected to play possession. Crystal then jammed the 2 into a cluster that double-bumped the 10 into the top left as called for the win and 2-0 series lead. Americus picked up a lot more offense in game 3 with six of the last eight balls, but that streak ended with a miss on the 10. Crystal was there to mop it up, poaching the win for a 3-0 series lead. Americus kept herself in the series with a solid game 4 performance. Crystal missed her chance on the 10, and Americus delivered a kick shot to the top left for the win instead, getting on the board in the 3-1 series. Crystal looked good in game 5, and she made five balls over her last two turns before leaving the 10 short at the bottom left. Americus made the tap-in and pulled closer in a 3-2 series. Americus rode a three-ball run deep into game 6, but she wasn't able to corral the 8. Crystal took over and buried the last three balls for the win to seal the series at 4-2. Crystal had another burst of offense early in game 7, but she couldn't finish it off. Americus sent the 10 to the bottom left on a cut for the win. Crystal settled for another 4-3 series win to get into Phase C tomorrow versus the Lighton Prestige's Spirit. Americus is the 149th player out, and Crystal's kill count stands at three.

Kraft Forum, Royal: Jake (B) v. Sarah (G). A battle in 9-ball goes fourth today. Choppy offense defined game 1, and it cost Tysini's Sarah when she missed on the 9 at the bottom left. Royal's Jake was there to convert for a close win and 1-0 series lead. The offense didn't smooth out in game 2, especially in a contested start. The Hummingbirds' Sarah got her share early, but the Crowns' Jake took over in the end for a three-ball run-out and 2-0 series lead. Both players briefly figured out their troubles in game 3 before reverting to previous form. Jake was a little shakier at the end, and Sarah mopped up his mistakes for her first win in the series, which Jake still leads 2-1. Sarah dropped off on offense in game 4, slipping up all around the table. Jake delivered at the end with a three-ball run-out for the win, moving ahead 3-1 in the series. Jake had a chance to tattoo the 9 in the top left to produce a strong finish in game 5, but he rattled it out. Sarah stepped in to bury it for the win, staying alive but trailing 3-2 in the series. Sarah kept her push going in game 6, starting in poor form but wrapping up the result nonetheless as Jake couldn't find a finish. Sarah has tied the series at 3. Sarah's break was close to success, but she left the 9 exposed at the top left. Jake converted on a three-ball run-out with a 3-9 combination to get the win, which also gave him the series at 4-3. Jake is going to visit the Victoria Spurs' Strawberry in tomorrow's action.

HP Field Events Center, Midland: Kitty (R) v. Fuchsia (P). Today's middle series comes in 7-ball. Midland's Kitty had a three-ball run early and a four-ball run-out at the end for the win and 1-0 series lead over Infinity's Fuchsia in game 1. The Predators' Kitty left a few more scraps lying around in game 2, but the Torpedoes' Fuchsia didn't attack well enough to take advantage. Kitty banked the 7 to the top left at the end for a 2-0 series lead. Fuchsia had a chance at the end of game 3, but she left the 7 short of the top left. Kitty was right there again, scooping it in for the win to move ahead 3-0 in the series. Fuchsia barely succeeded in game 4, making a three-ball run-out with the 7 rattling out of the bottom left but caroming perfectly to the bottom right. Kitty still holds a strong 3-1 series lead. Fuchsia had her best effort in game 5 with a five-ball run, but the 6 eluded her. Kitty sank it and put the 7 in the bottom side for a bit of a poached win to secure the series at 4-1. Fuchsia began with a four-ball run in game 6, but that ended with a scratch. Kitty took over from ball-in-hand for a three-ball run-out, stretching her series lead to 5-1 with the win. Fuchsia was there at the end of game 7, burying a pair of shots after Kitty couldn't bring about a finish. Kitty won the series 5-2 and gets a meeting with the Stonebridge Wolves' Hershey in Phase C. Fuchsia is the 150th eliminated player this year, and Kitty is up to three kills.

UPS Hall, Maplewood: Summer (B) v. Valencia (P). Talented opponents meet in Accuracy. Things were close in game 1 until Maplewood's Summer took control late, pushing Golden's Valencia far back. Summer was able to close out a 2-5 win for the 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Valencia fell into a deep deficit to start game 2, but she got close to tying the game. The Lumberjacks' Summer held on enough for Valencia to fall off again before closing out a 2-5 win. Summer leads the series 2-0. After the game, Valencia looked to be laboring through a left knee issue. Valencia didn't appear slowed by injury in game 3, but her sharpness was off in key moments. Summer was so good it didn't matter, missing just on the last ball in a 1-3 win that extended the host's series lead to 3-0. Summer made a ball on the break in game 4, and that ended up being worse for her. Valencia wrangled a lead as Summer skidded in the middle, and Valencia held on long enough to win 2-3. Summer remains ahead 3-1 in the series. Valencia made a ball on the break in game 5, and she kept it perfect for about half of the game. Summer matched her and stayed ahead when Valencia faltered. Summer ended up with a 1-2 win in the end, clinching the series at 4-1. Summer held a lead for much of game 6, but she faded hard at the end. Valencia held steady after a bad start, and that was enough for her to get a comeback 3-4 win. Summer retains the series lead at 4-2. Summer and Valencia engaged in a close game 7 as well, with Valencia picked up a 1-2 win for the road. Summer won the series 4-3 and will visit the Pronger Tridents captain Precious in Phase C. Valencia is the 151st player out, and Summer has recorded five kills.

Kraft Forum, Royal: Sunshine (S) v. Spice (P). A rookie takes on a captain in 15-ball. Royal's Sunshine uncovered a five-ball run early in game 1, but he couldn't recapture that form later. Victoria's Spice made the last four balls over two turns for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Sunshine struggled to find much successful offense in game 2, as the Spurs' Spice was effective even when her offense lacked. Spice would strike on a three-ball run-out at the end for a 2-0 series lead. Spice rattled off an eight-ball run in game 3, but surprisingly came up empty twice on the 15. Sunshine tapped it into the top right to get on the board while Spice holds a 2-1 series lead. Spice again seemed to have control in game 4, attacking fairly well, but her final run ended with the cue following the 12-15 combination into the bottom side. This gifted the win to Sunshine, in turn tying the series at 2. Sunshine wasn't able to dictate the pace of play in game 5, and Spice decided to take things slow. At the end, frustration started to emerge on both sides, but Spice settled down to make the final pair, restoring her series lead at 3-2. Sunshine again struggled to maintain offense in game 6, and Spice put the pressure on late. Spice converted four balls over her last two turns for the win, sealing the series at 4-2 in the process. Spice was able to find offense at the right moment in game 7 as well, picking up a late pair for the win and 5-2 series win over Sunshine. Spice will continue her journey into the next phase versus Tysini Hummingbirds sophomore Sarah in a Southwestern derby. Sunshine is the 152nd ousted player, and Spice has four kills.

Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Jane (S) v. Gradley (R). We've got 8-ball in the eighth spot today. Boston's Gradley had to battle for game 1, but Stonebridge's Jane had a brutal scratch that took her out of the running. Gradley made a pair and went ahead 1-0 in the series. Both players delivered with early three-ball runs in game 2, but the Wolves' Jane only made one ball after that. The Swifts' Gradley rallied with a five-ball run-out at the end, good for the win and 2-0 series lead. Gradley again went empty on the break in game 3, and he couldn't assemble much of a run this time. Jane carved out a four-ball run and eventually sank the 8 to the bottom left for the win, cutting Gradley's series lead down to 2-1. Jane kept the momentum going in game 4, knocking in a pair of four-ball runs in quick succession to get another win. Gradley made just one ball, and Jane's win tied the series at 2. Gradley got back on track after Jane had a bad break in game 5. Jane's offense suffered for it, while Gradley made a five-ball run and added the 8 on the next turn. Gradley regained the series lead at 3-2. Gradley brought the heat with a seven-ball run from the break in game 6. Jane made one shot, but Gradley easily won the game and the 4-2 series. Jane looked to have an edge for much of game 7, but Gradley stepped up at the end on a two-part attack to get the win. Gradley won the series 5-2 and moves on to visit Queens Flames youngster Briana in tomorrow's play. Jane is the 153rd player to exit the Tournament, and Gradley has taken four kills.

Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles (B) v. Pounce (S). Closing out the day is 13-ball between daughter and father. Capital City's Sprinkles had an explosive break and a three-ball run in game 1. Southern's Pounce made a late push on a three-ball run but couldn't continue, and Sprinkles got the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles again started well in game 2, but the Monarchs' Pounce battled back with a five-ball run this time. Sprinkles couldn't get set in time at the end, and Pounce sent the 8 to the top left for the win to tie the series at 1. Pounce took stripes on the break and overfilled at the top left early on. Sprinkles held her own well, but couldn't get ahead of Pounce's steady pace. In the end, Pounce kicked the 8 to the top left for the win and 2-1 series lead. Pounce made a pair on the break and a three-ball run-out in game 4, holding off Sprinkles' dynamic attack near the end. Pounce extended his series lead to 3-1. Pounce wasn't able to get good positioning in game 5, and that slowed him down just enough to let Sprinkles rally on a three-ball run-out for the win. Pounce is up 3-2 in the series still. Pounce got onto the 8 fairly easily in game 6, but he suffered a right knee injury on one of his shots. He was visibly troubled after that, and Sprinkles rallied for the win after butchering her positioning initially. The series is tied at 3, and Pounce is ready to close it out. Pounce was able to gut it out just fine, although Sprinkles had first crack at the 8. She missed it to the bottom left, and Pounce banked it top left for the win and 4-3 series win. Pounce is set to visit Central Warriors captain Twilight in Phase C. Pounce is up to four kills and Sprinkles is the 154th player out. 

Phase C goes tomorrow, potentially at a slightly later time.

Tournament X - Finals Phase A

The first round of matchups in the Finals are here, which means series are now seven games long. The blue cue will not feature today. First up...

Home Depot Forum, Web City: Nibbles (R) v. Isabella (S). We begin today's action with a 12-ball series. Web City's Nibbles stepped up with a strong break and rode solids right to the end. He made three balls over his last two turns while Atlantic's Isabella saw her four-ball run cut short by a scratch. Nibbles took game 1 for a 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Nibbles didn't slow down in game 2, again working with solids and having a fairly easy time doing so. The Pirates' Isabella tried to shift to defense, but she was too slow to stop Nibbles, who now leads the series 2-0. Nibbles switched to stripes for game 3, and that was a fine choice. He had a few nervy moments early on, but Isabella couldn't press hard late. Nibbles banked the 10 to the bottom right and converted the 9 at the top side for the win to move ahead 3-0 in the series. Nibbles surrendered two wild-card balls in game 4, one on the break and another as he tried to break Isabella's late-game defense. Isabella potted four balls over her last two turns to get the win, cutting Nibbles' series lead to 3-1. Nibbles was right back on attack in game 5, even as Isabella made a ball on the break. Tough positioning stalled out Isabella's comeback before Nibbles put the 4 in the top right for the win to clinch the series at 4-1. Isabella and Nibbles engaged in a tight battle along the bottom rail, with Nibbles fouling as he tried to play for positioning on his last shot. Isabella scooped up her last two shots for the win, trimming the deficit to 4-2. Isabella yielded a wild-card ball again in game 7, and Nibbles made it work for him quite well, taking a dominant victory to win the series 5-2. Nibbles is set to stay at home versus his Spiders teammate and captain Jack in the next phase. Nibbles got his second kill of the year, and Isabella is the 138th eliminated player. The Pirates are also the 10th team out.

Ford Forum, Pronger: Avril (G) v. Spice (P). Next up, one of these two players moves on in the 15-ball ladder. Pronger's Avril had some tricky ideas in game 1, but couldn't get many of them to work. She had a three-ball run, but Victoria's Spice answered on a three-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Spurs' Spice kicked up the offense a little stronger with a pair of three-ball runs at the end of game 2. The Tridents' Avril was already rattled after having to play in tight spaces, and she was unable to gain control after that. Spice won the game and pulled ahead 2-0 in the series. Spice continued to pace the offense in game 3, making a five-ball run-out after dominating the tougher early portion of the game. Spice has a stranglehold 3-0 series lead over Avril. In game 4, Avril had a chance to get back on track with a 7-15 combination attempt to the bottom right. She rattled it out, then scrapped with Spice before the end, where Spice pulled off a 14-15 bank combination to the top right to seal the series at 4-0. Avril converted a pair of four-ball runs in game 5, finally showing some life and stability on offense, but Spice fired back at the end with a four-ball run-out to stretch her series lead to 5-0. Spice wasn't at her best in game 6 by any means, but Avril was unable to capitalize on numerous opportunities for momentum. Spice ended up making the final pair anyway for the win and 6-0 lead in the series. Avril avoided total disaster in game 7, converting on her third try on the 15 after Spice couldn't quite put it away. Spice won the series 6-1 and will face Royal Crowns rookie Sunshine tomorrow. Avril is the 139th eliminated player, and Spice now has three kills.

Nissan Hall, Infinity: Blaze (R) v. Shaggy (S). A rookie takes on a captain in Rotation. Infinity's Blaze got most of his offense in game 1 on pairs of shots. Whitewater's Shaggy tried a similar strategy, but couldn't keep up very well. Blaze won 8-2 and established a 1-0 series lead early on. The Torpedoes' Blaze had a hot run in the middle of game 2, but he had to grind for the rest of his offense. The Shores' Shaggy wasn't consistent enough to mount a challenge, and Blaze won 8-4 for the 2-0 series lead. Shaggy responded well in game 3, finally establishing a lead early on. Blaze had a chance to go on a late run, but he rattled the 8 out of the bottom left. Shaggy knocked it in for an 8-2 win to get a game back in the 2-1 series. Shaggy held the lead for much of a back-and-forth game 4, as Blaze couldn't retain his momentum very well. A close finish favored Shaggy 8-7, tying the series at 2. Blaze got back on track with a surge in the middle of game 5, giving him a late lead. Shaggy evened the score but couldn't win, and Blaze took an 8-7 result to reclaim the series lead at 3-2. Blaze kept it up in game 6, battling with Shaggy early on in a close fight. Blaze then pulled away late on a three-ball run-out to win 8-4, clinching the series at 4-2 in the process. Blaze had no answer for Shaggy's massive five-ball run to start game 7. The quality dropped off after that, but Shaggy still won 8-3. Blaze took the series 4-3 and will visit the North Modernistic Nighthawks' Peach in the next phase. Shaggy is the 140th player out, and Blaze has his second kill. The Shores are the 11th eliminated team.

Sony Center, Queens: Crystal (R) v. Boots (G). The focus shifts to the 10-ball ladder here. Queens' Crystal got some early offense in a chaotic start, but Pearl's Boots delivered the finish on a seven-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Boots kept it going with a three-ball run to start game 2. A stronger battle emerged from that, and the Flames' Crystal posted a three-ball run-out at the end for the win to tie the series at 1. Boots again ripped a massive seven-ball run late in game 3, but this time she missed on the 10. Crystal missed contact on her next shot, and Boots took the 10 from ball-in-hand to reestablish the series lead at 2-1. Boots had another good share of the offense in game 4, but her late three-ball run ended when she missed the 10 at the bottom left. Crystal buried it for the win, again tying the series at 2. Crystal made three balls on the break in game 5 and added a four-ball run-out at the end, turning up the heat to smother Boots. Crystal pulled ahead for a 3-2 series lead. Crystal had a four-ball run at the end of game 6, but couldn't give herself good positioning on the 10. Boots then converted it to the bottom left to tie the series again at 3. Crystal had a good grip on offense in game 7 with a four-ball run early on. She added the finishing touches late with a pair as Boots faltered too much to sustain herself. Crystal won the series 4-3 and will visit the Midland Predators' Americus tomorrow in a Southeastern derby. Boots is the 141st player to exit, giving Crystal her second kill. The Surfers are the 12th team to finish.

Home Depot Forum, Web City: Waluigi (S) v. Sarah (G). The visitor here is one of two players with multiple bids remaining as she plays in 9-ball. Tysini's Sarah showed some offense early in game 1, but Web City's Waluigi buried it with a three-ball run-out at the end to give himself a 1-0 series lead. The Spiders' Waluigi absolutely butchered the finish of game 2, while the Hummingbirds' Sarah made one fewer mistake that allowed her to sink the 9 from ball-in-hand at the end. Sarah's cheap win tied the series at 1. Sarah was in better shape to deliver in game 3, working a five-ball run-out after weathering Waluigi's early attack. Sarah's victory put her ahead 2-1 in the series. Waluigi had a brutal pair of scratches in game 4, one to end a five-ball run and the other after he converted his second attempt on the 9. The latter scratch gifted the win to Sarah, who now leads the series 3-1. Waluigi finally redeemed himself a bit for his previous mistakes. Sarah had a chance at a run in game 5, but missed on the 7, and Waluigi cut her off with a three-ball run-out to pull back to a 3-2 deficit in the series. Waluigi stayed alive again as Sarah's late attack ended with a missed kick on the 9 to the bottom left. Waluigi tapped it down and tied the series at 3 games apiece. Waluigi had a little early offense, but he and Sarah both turned defensive on the 6. Waluigi had a chance to win on a combination and missed, and Sarah won instead on a deflection for the 4-3 series win. Sarah is set to visit Royal Crowns veteran Jake in the second phase. Sarah has a league-leading seven kills, making Waluigi the 142nd ousted player.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Valencia (P) v. Bianca (R). Club-mates battle in Accuracy. Southridge's Bianca held a lead for much of game 1, but missed twice late and again in overtime as Golden's Valencia skimmed by for a 3-4 win and a 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Valencia was good aside from a shaky point a little after the start of game 2. That was enough of an advantage for the Defenders' Bianca, who stood perfect in a 0-2 win to tie the series at 1. Valencia wanted to get the lead early in game 3, but she wasn't able to hold onto it well. Bianca took over and survived a shaky finish to grab a 3-4 win. Bianca now leads the series 2-1 and has looked like the better player. More twists came out in game 4, as a sloppy start eventually stabilized with Valencia holding a thin lead. Bianca missed late and Valencia clamped down for a 2-4 result, retying the series at 2. Valencia made a ball on the break in game 5, and that last-shot advantage came in handy when Bianca missed the last ball at the top left. In overtime, Bianca couldn't generate anything off the break, and Valencia completed the 2-3 comeback win with a simple shot. Valencia now leads the series 3-2. Valencia wasn't quite at her best in game 4, but she did enough early on to get Bianca to spiral out of control. Valencia then wrapped up a 3-5 win to secure the series at 4-2. Valencia didn't have a lot of room for error as Bianca was nearly perfect in a 1-2 win to salvage an extra game. Valencia advanced on a 4-3 series win and will visit the Maplewood Lumberjacks' Summer in tomorrow's action. That was Valencia's second kill of the season, and Bianca is the 143rd player out, as well as the Defenders becoming the 13th team done.

Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Hoppy (S) v. Fuchsia (P). Another pair of club-mates are set to square off in 7-ball. Infinity's Fuchsia had better offense in game 1 with a four-ball run and a successful second effort on the 7 after Archtown's Hoppy flubbed her try. Fuchsia holds a 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Hoppy made another big mistake by missing contact on the 4 in game 2. The Torpedoes' Fuchsia was right there for a four-ball run-out to earn the win, pushing her series lead to 2-0. Fuchsia had a dream break in game 3, sinking the 6 to the bottom side and the 7 caromed into the top left for the instant win and 3-0 series lead over Hoppy. In game 4, Hoppy proved she still had something to play for. Fuchsia wasn't very strong, and Hoppy made a four-ball run before tapping down the 7 to the bottom left on her next turn after Fuchsia left it short. Hoppy cut the deficit to 3-1. Fuchsia didn't do herself any positioning favors in game 5, forcing herself to take a kick attempt on the 7. She hit it too square, and Hoppy sent it to the bottom left for another win to get closer in the 3-2 series. Fuchsia got everything to line up in her favor again in game 6, working a four-ball run-out at the end to seal the series at 4-2 over Hoppy. Fuchsia made a pair in game 7, but questionable shooting after that allowed Hoppy to finish on a three-ball run-out. Fuchsia won the series 4-3 and is set to visit Midland Predators sophomore and former teammate Kitty in tomorrow's games. Fuchsia earned her fifth kill of the year, and Hoppy is the 144th player to exit. The Arrows are also done, finishing 14th as a team.

Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Dani (G) v. Pounce (S). A Coastal derby goes in 13-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Dani had a four-ball run from the break, but took too long to position her final pair. Southern's Pounce bounced back on a three-ball run and a wicked kick on the 7 to the bottom side, which set him up for the win on the 8. Pounce leads the series 1-0. The Monarchs' Pounce made one of each to start game 2 and made a surprise choice to take solids despite a stripe in the bottom side. Dani held defense late, but fouled making her last ball. Pounce then rallied for a three-ball run-out and the win, going up 2-0 in the series. Pounce scratched a couple times in game 3, putting him a bit behind Dani's pace. Pounce then baited Dani into a shot on the 11 toward the top right, and Dani took it, sinking the 8 accidentally to the top side. Pounce leads 3-0 in the series. Pounce had more struggles with scratches in game 4, and Dani was there to slow him down. Dani made the 8 on a kick to the top right at the end, just beating Pounce to stay alive in a 3-1 series. Dani made one of each on the game 5 break, and she chose to play solids. Pounce did well on stripes, and he made five balls over two turns to get onto the 8. Pounce then kicked the 8 to the bottom right for the win that secured the series in his favor at 4-1. Pounce wasn't able to get anything going in game 6, as Dani dominated with positioning in a quick win to cut the series to 4-2. Dani did a little more damage control in game 7, navigating a tricky rack well to get the close win over Pounce again. Pounce still took the series 4-3 and will visit his daughter and Capital City Sharpshooters star Sprinkles in the second phase. Pounce's third kill made Dani the 145th player out of the Tournament. Humanity Senior is the second club to fall, and the Meteors are the 15th team out.

Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Gradley (R) v. Oreo (P). Today's finale is in 8-ball. Terrace City's Oreo made a critical blunder in game 1, accidentally sinking the 8 early at the bottom side to gift Boston's Gradley a win. The Knights' Oreo had another solid start in game 2, but the Swifts' Gradley didn't care. He made consecutive four-ball runs, including one where he deflected off the 13 to take the 9 at the bottom left, banked the 13 to the top side and cut the 8 to the top right for the win. Gradley is up 2-0 in the series. Oreo finally found the right positioning to slow down Gradley's explosive offense. This led to a close finish that Oreo narrowly won to get on the board in a 2-1 series. Oreo couldn't close out game 4 despite getting down to her final ball after Gradley scratched. The tough finish saw Gradley make three balls over two turns for the win and 3-1 series lead. Oreo had multiple chances to secure victory in game 5, but failed to do so. Gradley then roared back on a four-ball run-out for the win to clinch the series at 4-1. Gradley was the one who was a little too slow in game 6, unable to solve his final attempts at a run. Oreo took her time as well, but struck for the win to shrink Gradley's series lead to 4-2. Gradley had to wait for the right attack to open in game 7, but he delivered a five-ball run-out when it did to make his series win over Oreo a 5-2 result. Gradley is set to face Stonebridge Wolves rookie Jane in the next phase. Oreo is the 146th player done, and Gradley has his third kill. The Knights are also the 16th finished team.

That's all for today, with Phase B action set to start tomorrow.

Tournament X - Bracket Finals Day 5

It's last-chance time to get into the Finals. We begin the round finale with...

Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Oreo. The purple cue opens the day in 8-ball. Central's Twilight had a strong four-ball run in game 1, but Terrace City's Oreo had already done a lot on offense and added a pair at the end to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Twilight jumped out to a lead with a five-ball run early in game 2. It didn't hold up very well, as the Knights' Oreo recovered slowly and eventually took the win to go ahead 2-0 in the series. Twilight was slow to claim a suit on offense in game 3. Oreo was able to do good work on solids despite Twilight keeping things close late. Oreo then made a pair for the win, clinching the series at 3-0. Twilight salvaged a result in game 4, turning up her offense on a six-ball run-out after Oreo struggled to get her offense going. Twilight's win cut Oreo's series lead to 3-1. Twilight did a little more work in a close game 5, finishing with a four-ball run-out to leave Oreo with a 3-2 series win. Oreo went 14-7 on the bracket and will play in the Finals.

Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally v. Summer. Northeastern rivals battle in Accuracy with the blue cue. Archtown's Sally couldn't hang on in a close game 1, taking a late miss. Maplewood's Summer made the next shot and secured a 3-4 win for the 1-0 series lead. The Lumberjacks' Summer put in a similar effort for game 2, but the Arrows' Sally elevated her own level of play. This led to Summer's late miss being a problem for her, while Sally used it to grab a 2-3 win that tied the series at 1. Game 3 saw Summer make a mess of her chance to reestablish a lead. She lost the lead late in regulation, then exchanged misses three times with Sally in overtime. Sally eventually won 5-6 by leaving Summer in a bad position, and that gave Sally the 2-1 series lead. Sally held the last-shot advantage in game 4, but she let it slip away by trailing late. Summer dropped back into a tie to force overtime again, and Sally then missed all three of her shots in overtime. Summer grabbed the 4-5 win to retie the series at 2. With the series on the line, Summer delivered her best game yet, holding the line at perfection. A late miss from Sally let Summer win 0-1, and Summer's 3-2 series win put her in the Finals with a 15-6 record from the bracket. Summer got her fourth kill of the year, while Sally is the 130th eliminated player.

Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Pounce v. Megan. A Coastal derby sees the silver cue's last appearance of the round coming in 13-ball. Southern's Pounce had stripes from the break, but a later scratch would flip the momentum to Oceanside's Megan. At the end, Megan put her last solid and the 8 behind Pounce's defense at the bottom right for the win. Megan leads the series 1-0. The Waves' Megan made a mess of the finish in game 2. She held a huge lead while the Monarchs' Pounce sought positioning, but Pounce was able to claw his way back well enough to easily win, tying the series at 1. Pounce had some moments in game 3, but Megan used a five-ball run to take the lead. Pounce was out of position on his last ball, and Megan converted to the top side for the win and 2-1 series lead. Pounce began to lose his cool a bit in game 4 as he had trouble setting up at the top right. A bank bailed him out, but the 8 was another battle, and Pounce just barely prevailed over Megan that time. The series is tied at 2. Pounce made a six-ball run from the break in game 5 to get himself in a good position. He scratched on the next turn, and Megan pressed hard but couldn't cover the damage. Pounce won the series 3-2 and will go to the Finals after a minimum 13-8 performance on the bracket. This was Pounce's second kill of the year, and Megan is the 131st player out.

T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Strawberry v. Shawn. The red cue closes out its round in 9-ball. Victoria's Strawberry was far too inconsistent in game 1, while Midland's Shawn had a three-ball run and added the 9 on his second try for the win. Shawn leads the series 1-0. The Predators' Shawn put an emphasis on pace in game 2 with a three-ball run at the start. The Spurs' Strawberry fired back with a pair, but Shawn won with a four-ball run-out to extend his series lead to 2-0. In game 3, Shawn seemingly peaked a bit too soon with a four-ball run, which Strawberry answered with a pair at the end for the win. Shawn's series lead holds at 2-1. Shawn maintained an active presence in game 4, but Strawberry locked down another win at the end with her four-ball run-out to tie the series at 2. Strawberry completed the comeback in game 5 with a six-ball run at the start. Shawn wouldn't make a ball as Strawberry added the last three over two turns for the 3-2 series win. Strawberry went 15-6 on the bracket to reach the Finals. Shawn is the 132nd player to exit this year, and Strawberry now has two kills.

Sony Center, Queens: Violetta v. Avril. The green cue activates with a series of 15-ball. Queen's Violetta did alright early on in game 1, but Pronger's Avril stepped up with a lucky five-ball run-out at the end for the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was a little slower at the start, then saw the Flames' Violetta take six balls over two turns near the end. She missed on the 15, and the Tridents' Avril put it away at the bottom left for the win and 2-0 series lead. Violetta worked a four-ball run late in game 3, but her miss on the 13 allowed Avril to respond with a three-ball run-out. Avril continued to find clutch offense, sealing the series at 3-0. Violetta got on the scoreboard after a slow start to game 4. She delivered at the end with a four-ball run-out, cutting Avril's series lead to 3-1. Violetta took another game for the road with a 7-15 combination to the bottom left at the end of game 5. Avril had a 3-2 series win to advance to the Finals after a 14-7 record on the bracket. Violetta is the 133rd player eliminated, giving Avril a second kill.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Max v. Cheddar. A series of 12-ball also uses the green cue. Golden's Max benefited from his early offense, as North Modernistic's Cheddar pressed late in game 1 but couldn't quite connect. Max sank the 9 at the top side for a win and a 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Cheddar made a good push late in game 2, but the Pilots' Max again had a large enough lead to hold her off. Max finished on the 1 at the top right to get the win, extending his series lead to 2-0. Max had a four-ball run from the break in game 3, but suffered a scratch. Cheddar then made a four-ball run and had a wild-card ball to work with. Max pulled back, but Cheddar's two-rail bank sent the 3 to the bottom side for the win. Max remains ahead 2-1 in the series. Cheddar made a pair on the break in game 4, but Max was faster to set up around the table. Max blocked Cheddar as much as he could and eventually carved out a three-ball run-out to clinch the series at 3-1. Max kept up the pace fairly well in a quick game 5. Cheddar had her challenges late, but Max weathered it to win the series 4-1. He's advanced to the Finals by going 15-6 on the bracket. That was Max's fifth kill this season, and Cheddar is the 134th player out.

Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Niki v. Twilight. The visitor's second series today is in 13-ball with the purple cue. Central's Twilight put up a good fight in game 1, but Commerce's Niki made the right choice to play solids after making one of each on the break. Niki delivered a late pair for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Niki had another good start to game 2, but errors and a lack of precision later ruined her play. The Warriors' Twilight led for much of the game and earned the win to tie the series at 1. Twilight was unable to make anything big happen in game 3, and Niki weaved through the rack a little easier to win on a three-ball run-out. Niki regained the series lead at 2-1. Twilight stayed in the fight in game 4, navigating cleanly around defense from Niki near the bottom left. Twilight's persistent play got her a win to tie the series at 2. Twilight popped a good break, but Niki wouldn't let her take control. A scrap for possession occurred, and Niki got the upper hand briefly. Twilight then rallied on a three-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win. Twilight finished 16-5 on the bracket as she heads to the Finals. Niki is the 135th eliminated player, giving Twilight her third kill of the year. The Tradewinds are the ninth eliminated team.

Chevrolet Center, Everton: Goldy v. Jake. The blue cue draws in for 9-ball. Everton's Goldy held much of the early offense, but Royal's Jake offered a perfect five-ball run-out on a counterattack to take game 1. Jake leads the series 1-0. The Crowns' Jake looked ready to replicate that finish in game 2, but he faltered on the 9 after a four-ball run. The Eagles' Goldy made no mistake in cleaning up the scraps for a win to tie the series at 1. In game 3, the late offense turned into a power show. Goldy had a pair of good shots, but couldn't corral the 9 twice. Jake eventually took care of it on his second try for the 2-1 series lead. Goldy was shaky in game 4, and not strong enough to fend off Jake's final push. Jake rallied on a five-ball run-out for the win, securing the series at 3-1. Goldy again came up short in game 5, missing the 9 wide of the top right. Jake tapped it down for the win and 4-1 series win, completing his 15-6 run on the bracket to get into the Finals. Goldy is the 136th player out, and Jake has his second kill. Oriental United is also the first club to fall.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Mario. The green cue wraps up the round with 7-ball. Queens' Mario struck quickly in game 1, kicking the 1-7 combination to the top side on his first shot after Golden's Dusty had an empty break. Mario leads the series 1-0. The Flames' Mario made a pair on the break in game 2, and he continued to pace the offense after that. The Pilots' Dusty couldn't get anything going before Mario sank a three-ball run-out to stretch his series lead to 2-0. Dusty wasn't ready to end her season quite yet, fending off Mario's hot start with a four-ball run-out on the counterattack. Dusty's smooth finish pulled the series back within reach at 2-1. Dusty put up quite the fight again in game 4, but Mario closed this one out on a three-ball run-out after a long battle on the 5. Mario sealed the series at 3-1 with the win. Dusty stayed strong in game 5, closing out the series with a four-ball run-out to leave Mario with a 3-2 series win. Mario went 16-5 on the bracket as he punches the last ticket to the Finals. Dusty is the 137th eliminated player, and Mario has his second kill. 

That's it for the Bracket Finals. When we return, either on Sunday or Monday, it'll be Finals time. The schedule and game distribution is yet to be determined, but the expectation is for all Finals to be completed prior to the end of September.

Tournament X - Bracket Finals Day 4

All cues will see action today, which will also have the last Rotation set of the round. Leading off...

Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles v. Hershey. The blue cue starts the day with 7-ball. Capital City's Sprinkles found a three-ball run near the end of game 1, but she missed on the 7. Stonebridge's Hershey knocked it in for a 1-0 series lead. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles tried to make an impact early in game 2, but her illegal contact led to the Wolves' Hershey winning again on a five-ball run-out. Hershey leads the series 2-0. Sprinkles again had an early pair to start game 3, but Hershey was able to slam the door on the next turn, capping a three-ball run-out with his 5-7 combination to the top left. Hershey secured the series at 3-0. Hershey opened game 4 with a four-ball run, but he couldn't make a counterattack at the end. Sprinkles took the 7 at the bottom right to get on the board, although Hershey remains ahead 3-1 in the series. Hershey bounced back just fine in game 5, as Sprinkles missed twice on the 7 to lose her chance at the win. Hershey won the series 4-1 and went 16-5 on the bracket to reach the Finals.

Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Sunshine. The silver cue's lone outing today is in 15-ball. Royal's Sunshine kept his composure versus Lighton's Spirit in game 1, leading to a close battle with few extended runs. Sunshine stepped up for a three-ball run-out at the end to get the 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit made seven balls over her last two turns of game 2, but she hooked the 15 wide of the top side. The Crowns' Sunshine cleaned up that shot for the win to earn a 2-0 series lead. Sunshine had a five-ball run and a three-ball run over the middle of game 3, but his offense skidded to a halt at the end. Spirit eventually made the final pair for the win, cutting Sunshine's advantage to 2-1. Game 4 had close calls all around, as both players made some plays that worked and others that failed. Sunshine closed it out this time, working a four-ball run-out to clinch the series at 3-1. Sunshine delivered another strong finish after a close game 5 battle with Spirit. Sunshine's four-ball run-out gave him a 4-1 series win and a 15-6 record on the bracket to get into the Finals.

Toyota Arena, Freedom: Andrew v. Peach. The blue cue comes back for a Rotation series. North Modernistic's Peach had trouble staying on offense in game 1, while Freedom's Andrew took his offense in pairs. Andrew walked away with an 8-3 win to start the series ahead 1-0. The Nighthawks' Peach took over to start game 2, making a four-ball run. The Cascades' Andrew made a slow reply to get on the verge of the win, but Peach bounced back with a three-ball run-out for an 8-7 win. The series is tied at 1. Peach took another early lead in game 3, which Andrew partially answered this time. Peach held it off well at the end for an 8-5 win to go ahead 2-1 in the series. Peach again took the lead to start game 4, but Andrew covered the initial damage well. Andrew couldn't quite finish it off, and Peach made a pair at the end to win 8-7, sealing the series at 3-1. Peach didn't waste time in game 5, finishing off an 8-2 win to complete her series win over Andrew at 4-1. Peach is set to play in the Finals after going 14-7 on the bracket. Peach has two kills this year, and Andrew is the 126th player out of action, while the Cascades are the sixth team out.

Sony Center, Queens: Briana v. Leonardo. The blue cue is done for the day after this 8-ball battle. Diamond's Leonardo hung around for a bit in game 1, but a scratch hurt his late momentum. Queens' Briana eventually attacked on a four-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Briana executed another four-ball run in game 2, but from a deeper position. She needed some good fortune, which arrived when the Gems' Leonardo sank the 8 in an uncalled pocket to gift away the win. Briana leads the series 2-0. Briana's offense dropped off again in game 3, and while Leonardo wasn't totally smooth, he was good enough to win. Briana's series lead got cut to 2-1. Leonardo started a bit slow in game 4, allowing Briana to build up a lead. Leonardo erased that with an eight-ball run-out a few turns in, tying the series at 2. Leonardo opened with a five-ball run in game 5, which Briana answered on a four-ball run. Briana followed up with a four-ball run-out for the win and 3-2 series win, pushing her into the Finals on a 15-6 record on the bracket. Briana took her first kill this year, making Leonardo the 127th eliminated player. The Gems are the seventh team finished with all their bids.

Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Celestia. Rotation ends with the green cue between Coastal rivals. Oceanside's Celestia got a bit of a jump-start in game 1, and she made it stand up as Todavía's Easter faltered early. Celestia maintained her lead well and won 8-4 for the 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia struck for an early pair before a scratch in game 2. The Stills' Easter finally found her groove with short runs to pick up the 8-2 win this time, tying the series at 1. Easter exploded the rack on the game 3 break, getting the 15 to go in the top side. Celestia was much less successful on offense, and Easter capitalized on her mistakes to earn an 8-3 win for the 2-1 series lead. Easter grabbed an early lead again in game 4, but nearly took the loss as Celestia stayed close and had a late three-ball run. Celestia's only problem was the scratch on the 15, which allowed Easter to take it from ball-in-hand for an 8-7 win that secured the series at 3-1. Easter played well with a five-ball run at the start of game 5, and while she slowed down, she still beat Celestia 8-4 for the 4-1 series win. Easter avoids total collapse, sending one bid to the Finals after a 15-6 record on the bracket.

Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Maggie. The host's second series today uses the green cue for Accuracy. Modernistic's Maggie couldn't find any success early in game 1, slipping behind easily. Lighton's Spirit faded a bit late too, but won the game 2-7 for a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit lost control of game 2 on the break with her scratch. The Union's Maggie didn't let Spirit back in, flipping the result from the opener with a 2-7 win of her own. The series is now tied at 1. Game 3 was tied with Maggie holding last-ball advantage to end regulation, and that's where the fun began. Spirit missed three shots in overtime, but Maggie missed immediately after each one. Spirit then left Maggie nothing on the last ball to steal the 4-5 win, which also gave Spirit the 2-1 series lead. Spirit fell behind somewhat early in game 4, but kept things close until she fell off the pace at the end. Maggie was firm in a 1-4 win this time, retying the series at 2. Maggie had last-shot advantage again in game 5, and again it went to overtime. Spirit was stronger this time, surviving one miss and then beating Maggie 3-4 near the end of the extra rack. Spirit lived on the razor's edge in a 3-2 series win that helped her get to the Finals with a 16-5 record. Maggie is the 128th player out of the Tournament, giving Spirit her co-leading sixth kill of the season. The Union are the eighth team eliminated in all bids.

HP Field Events Center, Midland: Kitty v. Sarah. The red cue draws in between sophomores in 7-ball. Midland's Kitty couldn't settle in very well, and Tysini's Sarah exploited that to control the offense and get the win in game 1. Sarah is ahead 1-0 in the series. The Hummingbirds' Sarah couldn't quite get a grip on game 2, and the Predators' Kitty did well to strike for a pair at the end. Kitty's late push tied the series at 2. Sarah pushed with a three-ball run late in game 3, but her cut on the 7 missed wide of the bottom right. Kitty was there to mop it up for a close win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series. Sarah had plenty of early offense in game 4, but she lost control at the end. Kitty was there to snipe the 7 at the end, securing the series in her favor at 3-1. Sarah made a couple of shots in a shaky game 5, but Kitty was there at the end with the right touch for the final pair. Kitty won the series 4-1 and finished 14-7 on the bracket en route to the Finals.

Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sugar v. Snuggle. The red cue is done for the day after a 13-ball set. Tysini's Sugar had a pair of three-ball runs to open game 1, although she also made a ball for Oceanside's Snuggle. In the end, Snuggle had no positioning, and Sugar picked up an easy win for a 1-0 series lead. The Hummingbirds' Sugar again had a hot start in game 2, and she got some help from the Waves' Snuggle. Sugar then made one of Snuggle's balls, and he nearly turned that into a comeback, missing narrowly on a deflection at the bottom side. Sugar put the 8 in the bottom left for the win and 2-0 series lead. Sugar again made an early pair to establish her offense while yielding one to Snuggle. Desperation set in when Snuggle removed his defense at the bottom right, and Sugar took over to make a pair for the win that clinched the series at 3-0. Sugar didn't give away a freebie in game 4, but Snuggle made up for it with his five-ball run to take a quick lead. Sugar couldn't recover from that, and Snuggle got on the board with a pair to cut the series to 3-1. Snuggle wouldn't find as much success in game 5, as Sugar bounced back with a four-ball run-out to get the win. Sugar took the series 4-1, finishing a stellar 17-4 run on the bracket. Snuggle is the 129th eliminated player this year, and Sugar has her first kill of the year.

T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Spice v. Hoppy. The purple cue closes the day with 15-ball. Victoria's Spice brought the offense early with a three-ball run and a 4-11-15 combination to the top left in game 1. Archtown's Hoppy wasn't ready for the aggressiveness, and Spice took the quick 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Hoppy was a bit more resilient in game 2, but her kick attempt on the 13 ended her three-ball run. The Spurs' Spice answered on a three-ball run-out to grab the win, going ahead 2-0 in the series. Hoppy put up an even stronger fight in game 3, but she overthought her final plays. Spice capitalized on that, taking advantage of occupying her opponent's thinking to strike the 15 to the top right. Spice clinched the series at 3-0. Spice didn't finish off game 4 well, a four-ball run falling short as Hoppy instead made the final pair to avoid the sweep. Spice remains ahead 3-1 in the series. Hoppy took another for the road, drawing the ire of Spice who couldn't finish off strong in game 5. Spice settled for a 3-2 series win in the budding rivalry, and she went 14-7 on the bracket to reach the Finals. 

There's just one day left before we'll have the 45 Finalist bids confirmed.

Tournament X - Bracket Finals Day 3

We're going old school on the middle day of the Bracket Finals, as both the purple and green cues are not scheduled to play. Leading off...

Chevrolet Center, Everton: Vincent v. Twinkie III. The blue cue starts the day with 15-ball. Game 1 wasn't easy for either player. Whitewater's Twinkie III looked completely lost on offense, and Everton's Vincent only succeeded by making nine balls over his last four turns for the win. Vincent leads the series 1-0. The Eagles' Vincent looked for a similar finish in game 2, making seven balls over two turns before an error. The Shores' Twinkie III capitalized on the final pair for a cheap win to tie the series at 1. Vincent brought game 3 to an early close when he went left-handed to pot the 6-15 combination at the bottom left. Twinkie III never saw it coming, and Vincent took a 2-1 series lead. Vincent took care of business in a close game 4 battle, finding a three-ball run-out after Twinkie III couldn't corral the 13. Vincent's push for the win clinched the series in his favor at 3-1. Vincent got stronger in game 5, twice converting on five-ball runs, with the latter enough to give him the win and a 4-1 series win over Twinkie III. Vincent finished 16-5 on the bracket en route to the Finals. This was Vincent's first kill of the season, and Twinkie III is the 121st eliminated player.

Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Bright v. Precious. The silver cue gets a turn in Accuracy next. Pronger's Precious had a couple of brutal misses in game 1, but she had control late and baited Pearl's Bright into a pair of misses that put him behind. Precious held on late for a 2-3 win to go ahead 1-0 in the series. The Tridents' Precious scratched on the break in game 2, but recovered as the Surfers' Bright struggled later. Precious built up enough of a lead to weather her late fade, winning 4-5 to push her series lead to 2-0. Precious had a ball on the break in game 3, but she couldn't sustain her lead long enough. A sloppy ending led to overtime, and Precious missed on the break, allowing Bright to grab a 4-5 win. Precious' series lead is now 2-1. Precious got herself back on track with a solid performance in game 4. Bright slipped off the pace at the end, and Precious closed with a 2-4 win to secure the series at 3-1. Precious took a turn toward perfection in game 5, making a pair on the break and giving Bright no outlet to escape. Precious closed the series on a 0-3 win for a 4-1 series win, and she finished 15-6 overall to get to the Finals. Precious earned her first kill this year, and Bright is the 122nd player out.

AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Celestia v. Briana. Hotshot players locked in a big rivalry battle in 12-ball with the blue cue. Oceanside's Celestia was good enough to strike on the break in game 1, and she kept a steady presence on offense all game. Queens' Briana lacked late positioning, and Celestia won at the bottom right for the 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia was a little shaky on her shots, and that left the door open for the Flames' Briana. Initially a close battle, Briana won with a three-ball run-out to tie the series at 1. Briana surrendered a wild-card ball on the game 3 break, leading to Celestia having a slight advantage at the end. Celestia was patient and kept her last ball moving, while Briana couldn't find the right sequence. Celestia eventually got the win for a 2-1 series lead. Celestia gave away a wild-card ball in game 4, but Briana would give it back late after ruining her own positioning. Celestia picked up the pace and capitalized on Briana's later missed contact error for the win. Celestia sealed the series at 3-1. Celestia began game 5 with a five-ball run. Briana, already defeated, made little effort on her one shot before Celestia finished the win for a 4-1 series win. Celestia went 15-6 on the bracket to reach the Finals.

Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Shaggy. The silver cue comes back for a Rotation series. Whitewater's Shaggy had little confidence in game 1, but it worked out because she posted a fortunate 8-0 shutout over Pacific's Ms. Kitty. Shaggy leads the series 1-0. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty put up a better effort in game 2, but she wasn't able to sustain it. The Shores' Shaggy took the lead in the middle and finished with an 8-5 win to go ahead 2-0 in the series. Shaggy didn't find much success in game 3, as Ms. Kitty took an early lead. Ms. Kitty finished with a five-ball run-out capped by her double-pot of the 6 to the top left and the 14 to the bottom left for an 8-1 win. Shaggy remains ahead 2-1 in the series. Ms. Kitty kept the offense strong in game 4, although Shaggy didn't allow much separation. The close game went to the wire, where Ms. Kitty found an 8-6 win to tie the series at 2. Shaggy finally turned momentum back in her favor in game 5, taking the lead in the middle and fending off Ms. Kitty's late push. Shaggy won the game 8-5 and the series 3-2 to get into the Finals with a 17-7 record from the bracket. Shaggy picked up her third kill of the season, and Ms. Kitty is the 123rd player to exit the Tournament. The Volcanoes are also the fifth team out.

Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Gradley v. Rosemary. Club-mates tangle with the red cue in 8-ball. Boston's Gradley made a pair and scratched on the game 1 break. Commerce's Rosemary put in a good effort, but Gradley fought it off with a five-ball run-out for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Swifts' Gradley scratched on the break again in game 2, but he had no recovery this time. The Tradewinds' Rosemary found a four-ball run to take the lead, and she eventually earned the win to tie the series at 1. Game 3 came down to the very end after Rosemary couldn't complete a run. She missed contact on the 8, and Gradley took the play from ball-in-hand for the win and 2-1 series lead. Rosemary gained the lead in game 4 with a five-ball run, and Gradley made only a modest response to it. Rosemary took another pair at the end for the win to retie the series at 2. Game 5 was close at the halfway point, but Gradley found a late surge to push himself past Rosemary for good with a 3-2 series win. Gradley went 14-7 on the bracket to get into the Finals. Gradley earned his second kill of the year, making Rosemary the 124th eliminated player.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Jane. More 8-ball features the silver cue. Golden's Dusty made a mess of game 1, making just a single ball. Stonebridge's Jane wasn't efficient, but she had no trouble earning the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Pilots' Dusty improved in game 2, but her offense stalled out on her last ball. The Wolves' Jane battled back and took the win with the final pair of shots, a comeback to extend her series lead to 2-0. Jane was strong at the start of game 3, but she couldn't quite put away the 8 at the end. Dusty held on long enough to piece together a three-ball run-out for the win, cutting Jane's series lead to 2-1. Dusty couldn't produce much offense in game 4, and Jane ripped an early five-ball run to take the lead. Jane eventually finished with the 8 at the bottom right to clinch the series at 3-1. Dusty salvaged a result in game 5 with a four-ball run-out, but Jane still won the series confidently by a 3-2 margin. Jane is in the Finals after a 15-6 record on the bracket.

Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Hoppy v. Sage. A big showdown in 7-ball comes with the silver cue in hand. Archtown's Hoppy won game 1 with a lucky bounce that sent the 7 to the bottom side, ending an unprecedented four-round undefeated run in an event for Victoria's Sage. Hoppy leads the series 1-0. The Arrows' Hoppy then made a blunder in game 2, sinking the 7 on illegal contact to the top left, gifting a win to the Spurs' Sage to tie the series at 1. Sage made a four-ball run in game 3, but a scratch turned over possession to Hoppy, who had a three-ball run-out capped by a bank on the 7 to the bottom side for the win. Hoppy regained the series lead at 2-1. Sage clearly couldn't shake the gravity of the moment in a sloppy game 4 effort. Hoppy finished the job with a five-ball run-out, kicking the 7 to the bottom side to seal the series at 3-1. Sage struck for a pair at the end of game 5 as Hoppy had an earlier miss. Hoppy still won the series 3-2 and finished 14-7 on the bracket. Hoppy took her first kill of the year, making Sage the 125th player to exit the Tournament.

Nissan Hall, Infinity: Blaze v. Fuchsia. The red cue exits the day after an All-Torpedoes Rotation set. Blaze held his own pretty well, but Fuchsia kept a slight lead over him throughout game 1. Fuchsia ended up with a confident 8-6 win for the 1-0 series lead. In game 2, Blaze raised his game to another level, finding enough offense to gain the lead. Fuchsia put in a late challenge, but Blaze held on to an 8-5 win to tie the series at 1. Blaze and Fuchsia scrapped evenly throughout game 3, until Blaze delivered on a pinch-bank of the 15 to the bottom side to win 8-7. Blaze has pulled out to a 2-1 series lead. Blaze gave Fuchsia no room to work after they each made an early ball. Blaze had a couple of nice turns and easily took an 8-1 win to clinch the series at 3-1. Fuchsia looked ready to take game 5, but Blaze battled back with four balls over his last two turns to grab an 8-5 win for the 4-1 series win. Blaze went 17-7 on the bracket to get into the Finals.

Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Juno v. Avril. Eastern Hills rivals close the day with the silver cue in 10-ball. Too many trick plays slow down game 1, and neither player was particularly clean with their shooting. Stonebridge's Juno won on a three-ball run-out after Pronger's Avril flubbed a play on the 8. Juno leads the series 1-0. The Tridents' Avril had a pair of three-ball runs in game 2, but the latter saw her scratch as she sank the 10. From ball-in-hand, the Wolves' Juno executed a three-ball run-out for the win to push her series lead to 2-0. Avril came close to victory in game 3, controlling the offense and getting a look at the 10 that she sent wide of the top side. Juno was able to send it to that same pocket for the win, securing the series in her favor at 3-0. After a slow start in game 4, Juno came to life at the end with a six-ball run-out, including a clutch bank of the 9 to the bottom right. Avril could only watch as Juno stretched her series lead to 4-0. Juno didn't show mercy in game 5, pummeling a seven-ball run off the break. She added the last three balls over two turns while Avril faltered, with Juno sweeping the series 5-0. This got her to the Finals on a 16-5 record. 

Today's action is done, but there's still two more days to play in the Bracket Finals.

Tournament X - Bracket Finals Day 2

Another nine series are scheduled for today. The silver cue will not make an appearance. We begin with...

Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Easter. The visitor plays the road leg of her tripleheader in 10-ball with the blue cue. Todavía's Easter had a three-ball run late in game 1 after a close and choppy battle, but she missed on the 10. Lighton's Spirit tapped in the winning shot for a 1-0 series lead. Both players continued to struggle with stringing shots together in game 2. The Stills' Easter's biggest miss was on the 10 at the top right, and the Prestige's Spirit cleaned it up to go ahead 2-0 in the series. Spirit took over on offense in game 3 with a six-ball run early on. Easter got a pair at the end, but Spirit shut it down with a pair of her own to seal the series at 3-0. Spirit kept cruising in game 4, delivering a five-ball run-out as she finally seems to have her offense sorted. Spirit leads Easter 4-0 in the series. Spirit completed the sweep in game 5, picking off the final pair after Easter faded late again. Spirit's 5-0 series win puts her in the Finals with 15-6 record from the bracket.

Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Missy. The host's tripleheader continues with 9-ball and the purple cue. Todavía's Easter had a three-ball run to start game 1, but Capital City's Missy kept things even in the middle. Missy then made the 9 on her second try at the end for the 1-0 series lead. The Stills' Easter couldn't get much going in game 2, while the Sharpshooters' Missy ended with a deflection play off the 5 to sink the 9 at the top left. The 5 also fell in the bottom right, with the double-pot giving Missy a 2-0 series lead. Easter's skid continued in game 3, as a four-ball run wasn't enough to salvage a result. Easter left the 9 at the top left, and Missy tapped it down, capitalizing on her three-ball break earlier. Missy clinched the series at 3-0. Missy rolled on with a good start in game 4, and Easter had only a couple of chances for offense. Missy then converted a 5-9 combination to the top left for the win, stretching her series lead to 4-0. Easter just missed her chance at the 9 in game 5 after weathering another attack from Missy, who buried the winning shot on her second try. Missy swept the series 5-0 and finished 19-5 on the bracket to get into the Finals.

Apple Center, Todavía: Easter v. Fuchsia. The host's tripleheader ends in 7-ball, also using the purple cue. Todavía's Easter couldn't finish off game 1 after posting a three-ball run, missing contact on the 7. Infinity's Fuchsia took the free play for a 1-0 series lead as Easter appears in complete disarray. Game 2 seemed close, but the Stills' Easter couldn't corral the 6. The Torpedoes' Fuchsia picked it up and cut the 7 to the bottom right to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Easter finally broke through in game 3, finding and finishing a four-ball run-out after Fuchsia narrowly missed a trick play on the 7. Easter's win cut the deficit to 2-1 in the series as she attempts to salvage something from today. Easter rattled off a six-ball run to start game 4, but rattling would end her bid in this event as she missed the 7 at the bottom right. Fuchsia tapped it in for the win to secure the series at 3-1. Easter took one for the road with a 1-7 combination on her second turn of game 5, leaving Fuchsia with a 3-2 series win. Fuchsia went the minimum for players who avoided the Play-In Round, 13-8, to get to the Finals.

HP Field Events Center, Midland: Americus v. Dustin. The purple cue stays active in 10-ball. Central's Dustin wasted a chance to finish off game 1 at the top left, leaving the 10 standing. Midland's Americus tapped it in, grinding out a tough win for a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 was a little faster in the middle, but both players turned sloppy at the end. The Predators' Americus missed twice on the 10, and the Warriors' Dustin barely cut it to the bottom right at the end to tie the series at 1. Dustin produced a five-ball run on the game 3 break, but he faltered late with two misses on the 10. Americus finally mopped it up to the top right at the end, regaining the series lead at 2-1 in the process. Americus started on a three-ball run in game 4. Dustin had some offense in the middle, but scratched as he attempted to sweep in the 10 early. Americus then made a four-ball run-out for the win to clinch the series at 3-1. Game 5 went at a fast pace, as Americus scratched on the break. Dustin had a five-ball run, but Americus fired back on a four-ball run-out for the win. Americus took the series 4-1 and finished 14-7 on the bracket en route to the Finals. Americus took her third kill of the year, and Dustin is the 117th eliminated player.

Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Valencia v. Max. A pair of Pilots battle in Accuracy with the purple cue. Valencia led for much of game 1, but slipped up late. Max tried to hold a lead, but ended up tied to force overtime. Valencia then won there when Max missed on the break. Valencia took a 3-4 win for the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw Max battle back from a deficit twice, only to miss late. Valencia locked in at the finish, winning 2-3 to pull ahead 2-0 in the series. Valencia's awful break in game 3 weighed down Max early on, but Valencia couldn't navigate the cluster at the end. A scratch put her behind, and Max held on for a 4-6 win to cut the series to 2-1. Max didn't get anything on the game 4 break, and would bite him when he was forced to take the overtime break as well. Valencia held her ground well enough for a 4-5 win after forcing overtime, and that secured the series in her favor at 3-1. Valencia let game 5 slip away as a show of good sportsmanship to Max, who took the 3-6 win as minor consolation. Valencia won the series 3-2, finishing 14-7 on the bracket to reach the Finals.

Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Sweetheart v. Acorn. Club-mates meet in Rotation with the purple cue for its last outing today. Boston's Sweetheart jumped out to a lead on a five-ball run from the break. Lighton's Acorn came close to pulling even, but Sweetheart fended him off for an 8-6 win and 1-0 series lead. Pace was no concern in game 2, as both players recorded runs of three and four balls within the first three turns. At the end, the Prestige's Acorn sliced the 15 to the top right for an 8-7 win over the Swifts' Sweetheart. This tied the series at 1. Everything about game 3 was different, except for the score. Acorn finished off a very slow 8-7 win when he made the 15 to the bottom left after Sweetheart couldn't pull off a late rally. Acorn leads the series 2-1. Sweetheart wasn't ready to leave the event yet, pulling off a three-ball run-out at the end of game 4 for an 8-7 comeback win over Acorn, who had led all game. The series is now tied at 2. After a bunch of close battles, Sweetheart finally took control and held it for almost all of game 5 in an 8-2 win over Acorn. Sweetheart won the series 3-2 and advanced to the Finals, taking a 14-7 record with her. Acorn is the 118th player out of the Tournament, and Sweetheart has her second kill.

Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sarah v. Noelle. The red cue's lone appearance is in 15-ball. Tysini's Sarah showed quality on a five-ball run that ended in a scratch in game 1. Central's Noelle got some offense in the middle, but Sarah finished with a seven-ball run-out for the early 1-0 series lead. The Hummingbirds' Sarah kept going with seven balls over her first three turns. She looked ready to falter late in game 2, but then pushed a five-ball run-out after the Warriors' Noelle failed to counterattack. Sarah now leads the series 2-0. Sarah's shooting rate came back to earth in game 3, leading to a close battle between her and Noelle. At the end, Sarah flubbed a play on the 14, and Noelle made the final pair for the win to cut the series to 2-1. Game 4 saw Noelle's comeback attempt continue, as she was able to snag a three-ball run-out at the end when Sarah fell short a couple of times. Noelle's win tied the series at 2. Noelle continued to push in game 5 and looked good with a late four-ball run. Sarah fouled on the 14, but Noelle scratched ahead of her attempt on the 15. Sarah buried the winning shot from ball-in-hand to take the series 3-2. With a 15-6 record from the bracket, Sarah is in the Finals. Sarah reset the kills lead at six, and Noelle is the 119th player to exit competition.

Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Dominic v. Boots. The green cue comes aboard for 10-ball. Pearl's Boots played quite well in game 1, posting a seven-ball run-out after toughing out a slow start. Boots leads Southern's Dominic 1-0 in the series. The Monarchs' Dominic put together a better effort in game 2 up until he missed contact on the 7. The Surfers' Boots used the ensuing ball-in-hand for a three-ball run-out to earn the win and 2-0 series lead. Dominic finally got involved on offense a bit more in game 3. Boots had her chance to win the game, but left the 10 wide of the top side. Dominic put it in the top right, converting four of his last five shots for the win to cut Boots' series lead to 2-1. Dominic had a three-ball run in game 4 end with a scratch, and Boots took over with ball-in-hand in a tight space. Boots made it work for a five-ball run-out to seal the series at 3-1. Boots wasn't able to take another game with her, as game 5 went to Dominic when he sank the final pair. Boots won the series 3-2 and will advance to the Finals with a 14-7 record from the bracket. Boots has two kills now, with Dominic the 120th player out of the Tournament.

Sony Center, Queens: Mario v. Sarah. Today's finale uses the green cue in 9-ball. A shaky effort on both sides led to a cagey game 1. At the end, Tysini's Sarah deflected off the 8 to take the 9 in the top side for the 1-0 series lead over Queens' Mario. Things got a bit more interesting in game 2, but the Hummingbirds' Sarah was there to shut the door with a three-ball run-out at the end after the Flames' Mario missed on a pinch play. Sarah holds a 2-0 series lead. Mario wasn't ready to go down in this series, carving out a five-ball run-out after Sarah started slow. Mario banked the 9 to the top left for the win, trimming Sarah's series lead to 2-1. Mario stayed hot on a three-ball run to start game 4, but he seemed to run out of energy after that. Sarah scrapped a bit before charging on a three-ball run-out to clinch the series at 3-1. Sarah kept her offense strong in game 5, but a scratch after a four-ball run made it a wasted effort. Mario took the 9 from ball-in-hand, and Sarah settled for a 3-2 series win. Sarah has a second bid in the Finals with her minimum 13-8 record on the bracket. 

That's all for today's action. We'll hit the midpoint of the Bracket Finals tomorrow.