The winning Rebecca's Rowdy Roses team gather for a photo. Back, from left: Alex Gordon, Wanda Storr, Joyce Blake, Erica Lugt, Tehnille Gard, Ashlyn Hendrick, Adrianna Hendrick, Jenette White, Nichole McDonald, Shandie LaBorde, Merissa Mitchell and Curtis Gruben. Middle, from left: Jenna McDonald, Stacey Christie, Natasha Kulikowski and Stephanie Charlie. Front, from left: Curtis Gruben Jr., Zendel Blake and Diezel Blake.
Stewart Burnett/NNSL photos
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Grand slam propels Rebecca's Rowdy Roses to slo-pitch win
Women's slo-pitch champs dominate tournament for second year in a row
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 20, 2017
INUVIK
There was no looking back after a grand slam by Rebecca's Rowdy Roses player Natasha Kulikowski in the bottom of the first inning of the women's territorial slo-pitch finals against the Ocean Girls Sunday, July 16.
Jenna McDonald smiles and claps rounding the bases on one of Natasha Kulikowski's grand slams.
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RRR went on to mercy the Tuktoyaktuk team, which has traditionally been their biggest rivals.
It was the second year in a row RRR has taken the women's territorials, and it gives the team an entry into the nationals next summer in Leduc, Alberta.
Kulikowski also brought in the final run to mercy the Ocean Girls in a "walk-off" walk with the bases loaded.
"We were just on our bats and our D was solid," said Joyce Blake from RRR. "We were out there having fun, playing a game that we love."
The team was made up of mostly Inuvik players, with Blake from Fort McPherson, one player from Aklavik and two from Yellowknife.
RRR went 7-0, mercying every team they faced except third-place Totally Twisted, who challenged them in the semi-finals.
"I'm really happy about our 7-0 record," said Blake. "It's not easy to do in a tournament like this where there's so many talented players."
Six teams competed in the tournament.
Blake emphasized the importance of RRR bonding as a team.
"We don't play together throughout the year, but yet we come together for this one weekend and we still manage to get the championship and just enjoy it together," she said.
She thanked the Inuvik Slo-Pitch Association for organizing the tournament and the team's sponsor, Rebecca Blake of LJ's Contracting.
"She's always been there for us and we're happy to make her proud," said Joyce Blake.
Ocean Girls pitcher Kelsey Andrews said she was happy with how her team performed.
"The weekend was really good," said Andrews.
The Ocean Girls won all their games except the two against RRR.
"We look forward to playing them again," said Andrews.
