JMU Dukes Softball Star Lauren Bernett Found Dead At 20

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA. (THECOUNT) — Lauren Bernett, a James Madison University softball star who on Monday was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week, has died. She was 20.

A cause of death was not provided.

In a statement announcing the sad news Tuesday morning:

“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes,” officials 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.”

Bernett, a sophomore, was a star catcher for the Dukes … and had just had arguably her best week ever on the diamond for JMU, reports TMZ.

In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs — a JMU record. Just days later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats.

On Monday, the CAA handed her its Player of the Week award for her performances.

Bernett — who was batting .336 this season with nine home runs — was also a key contributor to the James Madison squad that made a deep run in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.

“We love you, Lauren,” the JMU softball team said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The team has canceled its Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood in wake of Bernett’s death.

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Geo quick facts: Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 76,314. Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg. Along with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County forms the Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.