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Buckhannon softball squad captures title

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Submitted photo Buckhannon softball squad Diamond Dream-Lambert 12U captured the Purple Turtle Tournament title. In the front row is Raelynn Blake, Hallie Wilson, Harlea Detamore and Maddy Hawkins; in the second row is Sydney Vandevender, Brylee Zielinski, Gracelyn Hill, Iia Tarley, Harper Smith, Mia Lambert, Zoey Hicks, Aleena Reed, Katelyn Hicks and Addison Hicks; and in the back row is coaches Greg Zielinski, Dave Lambert and Chad Hicks.

Buckhannon softball squad Diamond Dream-Lambert 12U, finished 4-1 and captured the championship at the Purple Turtle Tournament in Morgantown, capping the weekend with a 7-5 victory over Ohio Valley Elite in the tournament championship at Mylan Park.

Ohio Valley Elite entered the title game undefeated and had not allowed a single run through four games. Diamond Dream-Lambert became the first team to score on them and then finished the job in the rematch, avenging an 0-8 opening-game loss to the team.

The path to the title included a 5-4 win over Smash 11U-Shaffer, a 14-2 win over 304 Havoc 12U, and a 12-0 win over 12U WV Renegades before the championship clash.

Several players stepped up across the tournament. Raelynn Blake drove in seven runs, including a four-RBI game with an inside-the-park home run against the Renegades in the semi-final, and a game-winning two-RBI groundout in the seventh inning of the championship. Hallie Wilson celebrated her birthday weekend handling the majority of the pitching, working 20.1 innings and earning the complete-game win in the championship. Mia Lambert set the table at the top of the order, batting .500 with eight hits and seven runs scored.

Iia Tarley contributed solidly on both sides of the ball. She hit .455 with a double, a home run, six runs scored and three RBIs. In the field she recorded a perfect 1.000 percentage with 10 assists and made several key defensive plays.

The team is led by Head Coach Dave Lambert with assistant coaches Katelyn Hicks and Addison Hicks, along with Chad Hicks and Greg Zielinski. The Morgantown title gave Diamond Dream-Lambert consecutive tournament championships to close out the 2026 travel ball season, following their win at the Christmas in July tournament in Zanesville, Ohio, July 24-26.

Beyond the results, the Purple Turtle Tournament carries deeper meaning. The annual event honors the memory of Rylee Burnette, the "Purple Turtle," and brings the softball community together to remember a young athlete whose kindness, energy, and generosity left a lasting impact. Her family's message continues to serve as a reminder of the importance of checking on one another and supporting those who may be fighting battles that aren't always visible.

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