Former South Fayette softball player Lauren Bernett dies
By:
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 | 3:57 PM
Oklahoma State’s Reagan Wright, left, scores behind James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett, right, on a ball hit by Chelsea Alexander in the fifth inning of an NCAA Women’s College World Series softball game, Friday, June 4, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
The James Madison softball program Tuesday was mourning the death of sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett, a South Fayette graduate who helped the Dukes reach the College World Series a year ago.
“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 combined statement. “Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.”
No additional details or cause of death was provided.
We love you, Lauren ???????? pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG
— JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) April 26, 2022
Just one day earlier, Bernett was named the conference player of the week after she went 7 for 9 with seven RBIs and four runs scored in a two-game series against Drexel. On Sunday alone, she went 4 for 4 with a double, a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-4 win in Philadelphia.
Bernett ranked second on the team with 33 RBIs and fourth with a .336 average.
“College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day,” the university administrators said. “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. 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.”
A doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday against Longwood was canceled.
James Madison went 41-4 last season and reached the World Series semifinals before losing to then-No. 1 ranked Oklahoma.
Love you LB ???????????? pic.twitter.com/ouikxztBxe
— Kate Gordon Short (@kateshort_) April 26, 2022
Love you LB ???? pic.twitter.com/4nHtx3PODR
— Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) April 26, 2022
Lost for words????Thank you thump for the memories especially the ones from this past weekend. You will never be forgotten! Love you forever and always ???? pic.twitter.com/QQUis8TOP5
— Kayla Boseman???? (@kcboseman) April 26, 2022
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: South Fayette
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