James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett dead at 20
Lauren Bernett plays a Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma State in June 2021. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
Lauren Bernett, a star player on James Madison University’s softball team, has died at age 20.
Bernett’s shocking death was announced Tuesday by the university. No cause of death was immediately given.
“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes,” university president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said in a statement. “Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.”
Foul play was not suspected in Bernett’s death, according to NBC News.
Bernett played an integral role in JMU’s run to the Women’s College World Series last season as the team’s starting catcher.
“Love you LB,” that team’s star pitcher, Odicci Alexander, tweeted Tuesday. She added: “You really never know what someone is going through.”
Bernett most recently had a dominant series at the plate last weekend. She was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week after going 7-for-9 with a home run and 7 RBIs.
James Madison shared counseling information available to people on campus and in the community at the Harrisonburg, Va., university.
