Lauren Bernett, a star catcher on the James Madison University softball team, has died, the school said Tuesday. The second grader was 20 years old.
“Our hearts ache as we hear the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes,” read in part a statement from the school’s athletic department.
JMU Athletics did not release a cause of death or other details about the “devastating loss.”
Lauren Bernett was a star catcher for James Madison.Lauren Bernett/Instagram
“We are a close family. We are grateful that Lauren was part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her a Duke. We will miss her dearly,” the statement said.
The Dukes’ doubles game against Longwood scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled. the team said in a tweet Tuesday, noting that future schedule changes are yet to be determined.
On Monday, CAA Bernett called that Conference Player of the Week after James Madison swept Drexel last weekend. She went 7-for-9 in the series and hit .788 with seven RBIs and four runs scored. She recorded four of her seven hits in Sunday’s game, including a home run.
Lauren Bernett (right) celebrates James Madison’s promotion to the College World Series last season.Lauren Bernett/Instagram
Bernett had seven RBIs against the College of Charleston on April 16, tying the school’s single-game record.
According to JMU’s website, Bernett was a McDonald, Penn. who is about 18 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, and was planning to major in biology with a minor in pre-vet. Bernett is survived by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
In its statement, the university provided students with information for its counseling center and other mental health resources.