A James Madison University Student has died. JMU announced the death of 20-year-old softball player Lauren Bernett on April 26.
"Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," a message posted to the Virginia school's website reads.
"Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year."
The message continued, "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke."
The JMU Athletics department also shared a message on Twitter. It reads: "The JMU family is devastated to have lost one of our own. All our love and support are with Lauren's family, her @JMUSoftball community and all those who knew her."
Just this week, Bernett was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. She led her team as the Dukes swept Drexel. She hit .778 with seven RBIs during the three-game series.
JMU's softball team canceled their double-header against Longwood University, which was scheduled for April 27. A cause of death has not been released.
