Just after she was named player of the week at her James Madison University conference, softball star Lauren Bernett passed away at the age of 20.
Little information was revealed about Bernett’s cause of death but the university confirmed the grim news Tuesday through its President Jonathan Alger and Athletic Director Jeff Bourne.
“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. 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, who is survived by her parents and four siblings, was a member of the National Honor Society and a sophomore catcher for the Dukes.
The conference’s decision to name her a top player of the week came after a stretch of achievements this week against the College of Charleston and Drexel.
