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RANKIN INLET
M&T captured the 2013 Calm Air Cup slo-pitch championship following a thrilling 13-10 victory over the defending champion Juggernauts in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Sarliaq's Nigel Kabluitok, left, has the ball start to get away from him during a close play at third with the Juggernauts' Chad Taipana during semifinal action at the Calm Air Cup in Rankin this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

M&T and the Juggernauts went undefeated in the round robin with identical 4-0 records.

M&T edged the Blue Sox 21-17 in one semifinal, while the Juggernauts handled Sarliaq 23-13 in the other to set up the championship game.

Hamish Tatty of M&T said beating the Juggernauts made the victory a little sweeter, as the latter had defeated his team the year prior to walk away with the Calm Air Cup.

"It always feels good to beat a team that took a title away from you," said Tatty.

Tatty said he got nervous during the final inning when they got the tying run to the plate in Wendel Kaludjak.

"Wendel can hit for power when he needs to, and he can get around the bases on a hit in the gap because of his speed," he said. "He's just a really good all-around player."

Tatty said this year's Calm Air Cup offered a nice blend of teams playing for fun and teams playing competitively.

He said he looks forward to the tournament every year and would like to see it return to the days when every Kivalliq community was represented.

"It was awesome, in the past, when every community sent a team," Tatty said. "I hope the out-of-town teams will start coming back to the Calm Air Cup because it makes it all just that much more enjoyable."

Tatty said after M&T plays the best-of-five final in the Rankin Inlet Co-ed Softball League, also against the rival Juggernauts, the team will be off to Baker Lake.

He said the top two Rankin teams will also be sponsored to compete in the annual Baker tournament this coming week.

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