We're set to play 40 games for qualifying today. First up...
Infinity Torpedoes captain Smudge plays 9-ball with the blue cue. Smudge started the day in perfect form, sinking the 9 to the top right on the break for 0 shots and zero errors. Archtown Arrows veteran Cubby follows that with the silver cue in 12-ball. Cubby kept himself in good positions, taking one error in 19 shots. Royal Crowns star Sunshine is up for 10-ball with the purple cue. Sunshine struggled with control, taking three errors but finishing strong at 18 shots. Freedom Cascades newcomer Kitty draws in for 12-ball with the blue cue. Kitty took no errors in her game, but a slight fade at the end pushed her to 21 shots. Going fifth today, Infinity Torpedoes star Fluffina shoots 13-ball with the red cue. Fluffina left a little too much to chance, needing 24 shots and two errors to clear the table.
Group two begins as Victoria Spurs newcomer Max shoots 10-ball with the green cue. Max didn't mess around, taking no errors in his 13 shots. Enterprise Independents rookie Ollie draws in for 12-ball with the purple cue. Ollie took one error as his positioning slipped late, but he finished it off in 22 shots. Boston Swifts star Tigerette also shoots 12-ball with the purple cue. Tigerette had nowhere to go at the end of her game, falling apart with 28 shots and four errors after a hot start. Pacific Volcanoes newcomer Gizmo keeps the purple cue active in 10-ball. Gizmo took three errors and fell to 20 shots. Swordpoint Blades captain Mams closes the group with the blue cue in hand for 9-ball. Mams had no traction early, taking two errors before settling to close at 16 shots.
The third group kicks off with Pronger Tridents captain Precious shooting 10-ball with the blue cue. Precious was tricky early and paid for it with two errors late to end up at 16 shots. Westside Rockers veteran Snowball checks in for 12-ball with the blue cue. Snowball played positioning excellently to end on 18 shots and no errors. Modernistic Union veteran Puff I goes 13th today, using the silver cue in 10-ball. Puff I took 15 shots and no errors, playing fairly well in the game. Harrison Specters veteran Esmeralda uses the purple cue in 9-ball next. Esmeralda took 18 shots and no errors in the game, though her shot selection didn't pan out well. Capital City Sharpshooters mainstay Missy ends the group in 12-ball with the green cue. Missy took a couple of errors and ended up with 22 shots in a difficult finish to her game.
Everton Eagles veteran Panda leads off group four with the purple cue in 13-ball. An early poor run of positioning left Panda with three errors before he settled to end on 26 shots. Viewpoint Sound Meteors veteran Cobalt plays 12-ball with the purple cue in today's 17th game. Cobalt took three errors and needed 27 shots to complete the effort, choosing to skip a late chase and instead taking an automatic foul. Everton Eagles newcomer Maggie gets the green cue in 10-ball. Maggie cruised on offense, ending in 7 shots with a 6-10 combination to the top right, and she took no errors. Rookie Alliance member Tenille A. is also set for 10-ball, using the red cue. Tenille A. needed 26 shots with one error to finish, going after a fruitless chase to end the game early with no success. The group closes with Zenith Skywatchers strongman Lionel playing 12-ball with the blue cue. Lionel had some rough placement at the end, pushing him up to 23 shots and two errors.
The fifth batch opens with Whitewater Shores captain Shaggy shooting 12-ball with the purple cue. Shaggy needed 24 shots and one error to finish, as she had to work on her positioning at the end. Midland Predators captain Rainmane is next up, using the silver cue in 12-ball. Rainmane took two errors for an overfill and a scratch, and she scuffled to 28 shots. More 12-ball is on the way as Archtown Arrows veteran Greg draws in to play with the green cue. Greg looked good in this one, playing patiently but fast with 19 shots and no errors. Freedom Cascades newcomer Shiny also uses the green cue in 12-ball for today's 24th game. Two errors off an explosive break didn't pay off in the end, as Shiny collapsed to 26 shots and four errors overall. Harrison Specters captain Twinkie II finishes the group in 10-ball with the silver cue. Twinkie II couldn't break loose from a slow start, taking 19 shots and one error.
The sixth set sees Atlantic Pirates newcomer Waluigi take the pace lead with 15-ball and the purple cue. Waluigi did well, taking a couple of early errors before unleashing strong offense to end on 25 shots. Golden Pilots captain Valencia keeps the purple cue active for 13-ball. Valencia played herself into a blockade, and needed three errors to escape the game at 26 shots. Swordpoint Blades newcomer Megan goes 28th today in Rotation with the red cue. Megan took three errors and finished at 27 shots in a fairly average-looking effort. Eastside Sharks captain Taylor M. brings the silver cue back for 12-ball. Taylor M. had good play and good fortune to end on 19 shots with no errors. At the back of the group, Southridge Defenders newcomer Avril shoots 12-ball with the purple cue. Avril needed 23 shots and took no errors to complete a tricky game.
Group seven starts as Terrace City Knights veteran Oreo plays 12-ball with the green cue. Oreo didn't take an error in her 19 shots, a crisp and clean performance. Lighton Prestige newcomer Gradley steps in for today's 32nd game, using the purple cue in Rotation. Gradley had an awful break and struggled for positioning, but rallied late to end on 33 shots and four errors. Viewpoint Sound Meteors captain Hoot checks in with the silver cue for 13-ball. Hoot had five errors and 28 shots as he couldn't keep the cue ball up in the right positions. Tysini Hummingbirds veteran Slinks tries her luck with the purple cue in 12-ball. Slinks took four errors and really didn't have much going her way in 33 shots. Maplewood Lumberjacks veteran Marissa closes the group in 12-ball with the green cue. Marissa had no errors and finished in 20 shots in a commanding turn at the table.
The final group gets going as Viewpoint Sound Meteors veteran Josie plays 8-ball with the purple cue. Josie took a pair of errors and managed to finish the game in 22 shots. Queens Flames veteran Mario goes 37th today in 10-ball with the green cue. Mario took one error on missed contact, but rallied to finish with 15 shots. Capital City Sharpshooters captain Chris checks in with the red cue in 12-ball. Chris couldn't get anything down early, taking three errors and 31 shots to get out of the game. Central Warriors star Dustin also plays in 12-ball but with the green cue. Dustin had a good chance to finish well, but twice butchered it on his last ball. He finished in 23 shots with no errors. Infinity Torpedoes star Blaze ends the day with the blue cue in 13-ball. Blaze took 16 shots and one error in a fantastic finale.
The days keep getting longer with harder events on the schedule. We'll go again tomorrow with 40 more games despite rising frustration around the league.
