Jeremy Sossei
Eight of the last fourteen matches played at the Lucasi Hybrid New England 9-Ball Series stop on Sunday, February 26 were double hill battles, including the hot seat, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The winner, Jeremy Sossei, who won seven straight on the loss-side to compete in the finals, was involved in three of those final four. The $350-added event drew 23 entrants to World Championship Billiards in Manchester, CT.
Sossei was sent west in an early round by Bobby Tuska, who moved on to the winners' side final four and a match against Eric Tang. Steve Mack, in the meantime, squared off against Jason Conner. Tang won a double hill match over Tuska, as Mack sent Conner west 7-2. Tang got locked up in his second straight double hill match versus Mack, and won that, as well, leaving him in the hot seat, waiting on Sossei.
With two behind him on the loss side, Sossei shut out Irvin Simkins, and survived a double hill battle over Tom Torres, for the right to face Conner. Tuska faced Bob Madengin, who'd defeated Charlie Matarazzo 7-3 and survived his own double hill battle against Kevin Baccio. Sossei didn't give up a single rack in the match against Conner that sent him to the quarterfinals. Madengin spoiled the potential Sossei/Tuska re-match with a 7-3 victory over Tuska.
Sossei then won three straight double hill matches to secure the event title. He defeated Madengin in the quarterfinals, and then, Mack in the semifinals for a chance at Tang in the hot seat. He completed the event with a double hill win over Tang in the finals.
