INUVIK
Inuvik's Angels in the outfield have their sights set on taking down the three-time women's territorial slo-pitch champions the Inuvik Benchwarmers.

The Amierco Angels won the women's title in the annual Men's and Women's Slo-pitch Tournament June 7. The team prevailed over the defending territorial champions the Inuvik Benchwarmers in a one-sided 18-8 game. Posing for the team photo in the front row are Tawny Amos, left, Shaylene Allen, Joey McCarthy, Karla Debastien and Nadine Wagner. In the back row, from left, are Alison Lennie, Chavaughn Blake, Meghan Etter, Twyla Amos, Jennifer Debastien, Jeffery Amos, Jillian Nugent, Lynsie Fleming, Judy Symes and Amier Suliman. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

The Amierco Angels slapped down the Benchwarmers in a one-sided championship game at the annual Inuvik Slo-pitch Association's annual Men's and Women's Tournament on June 7.

It was a one-sided game, with the Angels - a team largely designed to vie with the Benchwarmers - taking it by an 18-6 score, which was actually a bit flattering to the territorial champs.

Meghan Etter, the captain of the Angels and one of the star players on the team, didn't waste much time in admitting they enjoyed beating the Benchwarmers for another tournament title.

"It'll be even sweeter at the territorials," Angels coach Jeff Amos quipped too.

The Angels also won the title from the three-time champs last year at the tournament, before losing to them in the territorials, which came as a disappointment to the team.

Benchwarmers captain Stacey Christie said her squad has had some changeover.

"Some of our players don't live here anymore," said Christie.

The Angels lineup has remained largely intact from last year.

"It's pretty much the same as last year," Amos said.

"We're pretty much the same team as last year, we just have more time to play now," Etter said.

Amos said the win came with "good, consistent pitching, and some key base hits at the right time."

Etter, the second-base player, made one of those key plays, making the third out with a nifty catch of a pop fly midway through the game to snuff out the Benchwarmers.

"Everyone played exceptionally well, especially at second base," Amos said.

"We were pretty consistent in the field," Etter added.

The first two days of the tournament were played in some foul, cold weather before improving hugely on Sunday.

"It was cold out there, but it was OK as long as you were moving," Etter said.

"You'll notice they didn't play really hard yesterday, because their uniforms aren't dirty," Amos joked.

The Angels finished second in the round robin, Amos said, after losing their first game to the Benchwarmers, but turned their game up under pressure.

Christie said she knows the Benchwarmers are under attack by every team they play.

"We're playing with a target on us," she said. "We have to bring our A-game, but that's life. There's a lot of good players out there. It's just nice to see women come out and play."

In 2014, the team placed last at the season-opening tournament, Christie said, before rallying to retain their territorial title in July.

"So we're off to a better start," she said.

"In the round robin we did well, going three and zero. We just got beat in the final."

"Maybe we play better in the bad weather," she joked, showing the same relaxed demeanour of the team. "We're just trying to keep playing."

In the men's division, the title game was a short one as the Yankees put a swift end to the PCM Pros 18-3.

The mercy rule was invoked in that game, putting an end to the misery of the Pros.

Amos, who helped organize the tournament and serves on the association's board of directors, said he was pretty pleased with how it ran, despite the two days of bad weather.

"The tourney went very well, despite the rain and chills," he said.

"It was a great season opener."

Next up for the association is the annual Midnight Sun tournament at the beginning of July, followed by the territorial championships again.

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