Former South Fayette softball player Lauren Bernett dies
By:
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 | 3:57 PM
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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