We're ready to cross the 5,000 game mark today. The green cue won't be active today. The action starts with...
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Andrew v. Maison. Young players clash in Rotation with the blue cue to kick things off. Freedom's Andrew battled back-and-forth with Eastside's Maison in game 1. Maison had the late edge, but couldn't maintain it, and Andrew won 8-6 for the 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Sharks' Maison found a four-ball run to establish his lead. The Cascades' Andrew made a late push-back, but Maison held on for an 8-4 win to tie the series at 1. Maison made a large push in game 3, taking the lead on a three-ball run, but it wasn't enough. Andrew responded with a three-ball run-out for the 8-7 win, regaining his series lead at 2-1. Andrew struggled with his command in game 4, taking an early lead but letting it slip away at the end. Maison buried a four-ball run-out to earn the 8-3 win that retied the series at 2. Despite some frustrations in game 5, Andrew was able to take the lead on a short run. Maison tried to counterattack and mishit his shot, allowing Andrew to walk away with an 8-4 win and 3-2 series win. Andrew is set to host North Modernistic Nighthawks captain Peach in the bracket finals. Andrew has three kills this year, and Maison is the 93rd player out. The Sharks are also now the third team out.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Sally v. Starlight. The blue cue stays active between captains in Accuracy. A close battle in game 1 tipped in favor of Pacific's Starlight as she locked down a 1-2 win over Archtown's Sally with smart plays late. Starlight leads the series 1-0. The Volcanoes' Starlight slipped up a couple of times late in game 2, and the Arrows' Sally held the line at perfection for a 0-2 win to tie the series at 1. Both players took a massive step back in game 3, but it seemed to affect Starlight a little bit more. Sally was able to hang on through a tough finish for the 3-5 win, pulling ahead 2-1 in the series. Starlight couldn't keep herself on track in game 4, struggling again as things got tight near the end. Sally staved off some late danger for another 3-5 win to seal the series at 3-1. Game 5 got out of hand on both sides, and when it ended tied after regulation, Sally elected to forfeit, settling for a 3-2 series win with a 6-6 final score. Sally won the series 3-2 to get into the bracket finals.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Hoppy v. Marissa. Northeastern rivals end a venue doubleheader in 7-ball with the silver cue. Archtown's Hoppy made an early pair in game 1, and added another pair with a 3-7 combination finish to the top left after Maplewood's Marissa couldn't find a successful shot. Hoppy leads the series 1-0. The Arrows' Hoppy took time to struggle in game 2, while the Lumberjacks' Marissa got on track with a three-ball run. Marissa added a pair at the end for the win to tie the series at 1. Marissa again controlled the offense, but she faltered late with hard shots rattling out of pockets. Hoppy didn't have much offense, but she struck the 7 on her first try to get the win, regaining the series lead at 2-1. Nothing went to plan in game 4, but Hoppy won in two shots. She made the 4 on the break with a fortunate bounce, then caromed the 1 off the 3 to the bottom left while the 7 was clipped into the top left for a double-pot. Marissa could only watch as Hoppy clinched the series at 3-1. Hoppy finished off her 4-1 series win by sinking the 7 on the break to the top side, with the 5 also falling in the bottom left late. Hoppy will host the Victoria Spurs' Sage in the bracket finals.
Intel Center, Diamond: Shadow v. Jake. This series of 9-ball with the blue cue brings us to 5,000 games played in the Tournament. Diamond's Shadow paced the offense early in game 1, but neither player looked very good at the end. Shadow made the 9 on his second try to take a 1-0 series lead over Royal's Jake. The Gems' Shadow showed a little more power with a five-ball run in game 2, but he missed the 9 badly at the bottom left. The Crowns' Jake connected on it for the win, tying the series at 1. Shadow had a shot that left the 9 near the top left in game 3. He didn't benefit from it, as Jake left him few good positions. Jake eventually grabbed the win with a deflection off the 5 to sink the 9 for a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 saw Jake get nothing on a good break. Shadow had some moments on offense, but Jake was able to kick into a 3-9 bank combination to the bottom side for the win that secured the series at 3-1. Shadow got a bit of redemption with a strong finish in game 5, shutting off Jake for late shots. Jake still won the series 3-2 and will head to the bracket finals. Jake got his first kill of the year and Shadow is the 94th eliminated player.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Andrew v. Missy. The host's second series of the day uses the purple cue in 9-ball. Freedom's Andrew tried to play a hard-hitting style in game 1, but a late scratch made that backfire. Capital City's Missy got away with a scratch and made the final pair of shots for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Cascades' Andrew stepped up with a four-ball run in game 2, but his miss on the 8 was a critical failure. The Sharpshooters' Missy responded with a pair for the win, going up 2-0 in the series. Missy found her groove in game 3, again allowing Andrew to handle most of the offense as she waited to strike. Missy would clinch the series at 3-0 with a deflection off the 5 to pot the 9 at the top left. Andrew still couldn't find a win in game 4 despite a positive start. Missy made the last four balls over two turns, as Andrew couldn't corral the 9 she left near the bottom side. Missy's series lead now stands at 4-0. Andrew's best chance at a win came in game 5, when he took a three-ball run onto the 9. He rattled it out of the top left, and Missy was there to collect it for the win and 5-0 series sweep. Missy is set to visit the Todavía Stills captain Easter in the bracket finals.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Neopolitan. The silver cue cycles in for a 15-ball series. Game 1 started out alright but turned into a mess in the middle. Lighton's Spirit broke out with a four-ball run and had a chance on the 15 on the next turn, but she scratched as she made it. Pearl's Neopolitan took the gifted win for a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Spirit turned up the heat on offense in game 2, making three runs of three or more balls, but it all went to waste when she missed on the 14. The Surfers' Neopolitan potted the final pair for the win to go up 2-0 in the series. Neopolitan actually had her best offensive performance in game 3, making six of the last seven balls over two turns, but she whiffed badly on the 15. Spirit was there to put it away at the bottom left for the win, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Spirit survived again in game 4 despite a much closer battle, tying the series at 2 with a close win over Neopolitan. Spirit held on one more time in game 5, as Neopolitan had some threatening shots late. Spirit made a pair in the end for the win, taking the series 3-2 and earning the right to host the bracket finals. Spirit joined the kills lead with five and Neopolitan is the 95th player to exit the Tournament.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Noelle v. Snuggle. The red cue's lone outing today is in 13-ball. Central's Noelle had control early in game 1, but it faded near the end. Oceanside's Snuggle picked up the slack with four balls over his last two turns to get the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Noelle played efficiently from behind in game 2, forming an effective comeback after the Waves' Snuggle couldn't find a shot at the top side. Noelle rallied for the win to tie the series at 1. Snuggle didn't make a ball in game 3, but he baited the 8 near the top side and Noelle took an ill-fated attempt to clear it away. Noelle sank the 8 illegally, gifting Snuggle the win and 2-1 series lead. Snuggle held the lead early in game 4, but again failed to corral his final ball. Noelle rallied from behind again for the five-ball run-out and a win, tying the series at 2. Noelle made one of each on the break, but a pair of scratches killed her momentum late. Snuggle pulled back with a steady effort for the win and 3-2 series win. Snuggle will visit Tysini Hummingbirds newcomer Sugar in the bracket finals.
T-Mobile Center, Victoria: Spice v. Fuchsia. The purple cue finishes its day in 15-ball with Southwestern rivals battling. Victoria's Spice got off to a solid start with a four-ball run from the break. Infinity's Fuchsia fought back enough for the win, taking the 6-15 combination to the bottom left. Fuchsia leads the series 1-0. The Torpedoes' Fuchsia had four-ball runs near the start and the end of game 2. This set the tone offensively, and the Spurs' Spice was left to pick up scrap offense. Fuchsia would send the 15 to the top right for the win, going up 2-0 in the series. Fuchsia started well again in game 3, but finally faltered on pace near the end. Spice was able to snag the win with a 14-15 combination to the top side to cut the deficit to 2-1. Fuchsia charged with a four-ball run after the halfway mark of game 4. She lost momentum by missing on the 12, and Spice eventually replied with a three-ball run-out for the win to tie the series at 2. Fuchsia had some heavy shots in game 5, making it a choppy experience for her. Spice was a bit more composed, but she was also flat-out lucky that the 15 caromed into the bottom side after an awful initial shot. Spice won the series 3-2 and will host Hoppy of the Archtown Arrows in the bracket finals.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Dewey v. Sunshine. Another 15-ball series brings the silver cue to its exit today. Harrison's Dewey managed some early offense, but Royal's Sunshine stood out with a four-ball run. The end was a close battle that Sunshine just barely won for a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Sunshine took advantage of an opportunity early in game 2, burying a 3-7-15 combination to the top left for the win and 2-0 series lead after the Specters' Dewey left it lined up. Sunshine didn't let Dewey see the table in game 3. Sunshine made the 10 to the bottom left on the break, then sent the 1 there as well with a deflection to sink the 15 at the top side for a game-winning double-pot. Sunshine secured the series at 3-0. Dewey looked at his best in game 4, bringing energy and a late four-ball run that stalled with missed contact on the 15. Sunshine gladly took the ball-in-hand for the free win, moving up to a 4-0 series lead. Sunshine didn't have magic on his side in game 5, laboring through some tough shots. Dewey avoided the sweep with a 6-15 combination to the top left, leaving Sunshine to advance on a 4-1 series win. Sunshine will visit the Lighton Prestige's Spirit in the bracket finals. Sunshine's first career kill made Dewey the 96th eliminated player. The Specters are the fourth eliminated team as well.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Nikolai v. Hershey. The blue cue ends the day between club-mates and Eastern Hills rivals in 7-ball. Freedom's Nikolai handled most of the offense in game 1, including a four-ball run and the 7 on the next turn. Nikolai leads Stonebridge's Hershey 1-0 in the series. The Cascades' Nikolai faltered a bit in game 2, and the Wolves' Hershey capitalized on it. Hershey delivered a three-ball run-out at the end for the win, pulling even at 1 game each in the series. In game 3, Nikolai managed a four-ball run, but that ended with a scratch. The ill-timed error opened the door for Hershey to win with a pair of shots, putting the visitor ahead 2-1 in the series. Hershey locked up the series on the game 4 break, sending the 4 to the bottom left, the 6 to the top left, and the 7 to the bottom side on an explosive break to clinch the series at 3-1. Hershey kept up the offense late in game 5 just for fun, recovering from his early scratch as Nikolai failed to attack well enough. Hershey won the series 4-1 and will play in the bracket finals. Hershey had his second kill of the year to make Nikolai the 97th player eliminated.
That's all for today's action. We'll go again tomorrow for the second to last day of the round.
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