20 year old Lauren Bernett of James Madison University Softball team has died
A talented player and seemingly better person, the young JMU athlete will be missed by all who had the chance to know her.
The passing of any person is always made that much harder when they are so young and have so much life left to live.
Softball player Lauren Bernett has passed away
According to an announcement from James Madison University on Tuesday, softball player Lauren Bernett has died at the young age of 20. Bernett, who was part of the Dukes team that made it to last year’s Women’s College World Series, was an impressive catcher in her sophomore year. Sadly, the tragic news of Bernett’s death came just a day after the Colonial Athletic Association named her its Player of the Week. The catcher earned the honor Monday after going 7-for-9 with seven RBIs along with four runs scored, including a home run, during a three-game sweep of Drexel just this past weekend.
While the University gave no further details about her death, they did release a combined statement from JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne which said their “hearts are aching” over the death of Bernett. The statement also described Bernett as “a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. “We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke,” their statement read. “We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.” The statement also confirmed the cancellation of JMU softball’s Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood and offered several mental-health resources.
JMU teammates react to Lauren Bernett’s death
As one can imagine, the tragic passing of Bernett stirred deep emotions and several of her teammates took to social media to express their feelings and condolences, while the JMU itself also offered a post. Utility player Kayla Boseman wrote Bernett will “never be forgotten” while outfielder Emily Phillips added she will miss her “more than anything.” Pitcher Meredith Wells called Bernett “a light to so many.”
Even former JMU star Odicci Alexander and Softball America’s 2021 Pitcher of the Year was touched by Bernett’s passing. “Love you LB” she posted along with a broken heart emoji, just before tweeting “You really never know what someone is going through.”
Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said Ms. Bernett’s death was classified as an apparent suicide and that his office was investigating her death. “The official report from the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending, and out of respect for her family and friends, there is no other information to release at this time.”