She was there, alongside Odicci Alexander and the rest of the Dukes, during some of their biggest moments in OKC last June. A true freshman proving to be an absolute force behind the plate. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. Lauren Bernett was a member of JMU's 2021 College World Series-winning team. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. Just a tragic loss.https://t.co/bWXNVwxyau pic.twitter.com/fWj1w5eOwS, JMU softball took the country by storm last year and Lauren Bernett played a huge part in that. Bernett went 7-for-9 in the series, hitting .788 with seven RBIs and four runs scored, the school said. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement said. Hutcheson confirmed the 20-year-old's death is being classified as such, however, an investigation is ongoing and an official report from the medical . She was 20 years old. 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JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.". She was just 20 years. Bernett was named the Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week on Monday. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Sarahs family, friends and Badger teammates during this extraordinarily difficult time. May 2, 2022. Her reactions were as memorable as her play. Just days later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats. Photo: Colin E. Braley/ap. The release also announced the cancellation of JMU softball's Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood and offered several mental-health resources. James Madison University softball catcher Lauren Bernett is believed to have died of an apparent suicide, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson announced Thursday via WJLA.com. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said in a joint statement on Tuesday. Washington. 6-keys: media/spln/other/reg/free/stories, at "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of . James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett dies. he James Madison softball team announced Monday it canceled the final four games of its 2022 season after sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett died last week. In a statement announcing the sad news Tuesday morning, JMU officials did not reveal a cause of death but said the tragedy was "devastating. The award came after Bernett and the team faced Drexel University over the weekend. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call theU.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go toSpeakingOfSuicide.com/resourcesfor additional resources. 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If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S.National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night. I love you forever and always. HUGE NEWS: Tennis world erupts over Roger Federer announcement, 'NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE': Wimbledon defends contentious Russia ban. "Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.". We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. Fly high sweet girl pic.twitter.com/p9Mf4pub8m. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In a combined statement, JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said their "hearts are aching" over the death of the young softball star. The James Madison University softball team is mourning the death of their star catcher, Lauren Bernett. Shulzes family announced the devastating news, saying she "took her own life" earlier in April. We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. Lauren Bernett, a star player on James Madison University's softball team, has died at age 20. The university's athletic department announced the tragic news Tuesday, but did not list a . The Premiere Sports Lineup in the Nation! Above all other things, Sarah was a power for good in the world. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. https://t.co/90K77ss6Il, Seton Hill Softball (@SHUgriffinsSB) April 26, 2022. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. Most importantly, we're thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion.". HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison University announced Tuesday that one of their own has passed away. She was 20. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. All Rights Reserved. In their statement, Alger and Bourne called the 20-year-old a "key member" of the school's Women's College World Series team last year. Shes a light, no matter where she is. We love you, Lauren, the JMU softball team said in a tweet on Tuesday. The Dukes' doubleheaderon Wednesday against Longwood wascanceled and the school sent out messages offeringsupport for mental health. https://t.co/QettsmChF0, Today, the JMU athletic community gathered to honor JMU softball's Lauren Bernett, who passed away yesterday.https://t.co/kY0hLvpMdH pic.twitter.com/mtT0DBNm5C, TheBreezeJMU (@TheBreezeJMU) April 27, 2022, Lauren Bernett will always be remembered by #JMUNation for her role on the @JMUSoftball WCWS team. As we previously reported, JMU officials announced on Tuesday that Bernett -- a sophomore catcher for the Dukes -- had died at the age of 20. Bernett's shocking death was announced Tuesday by the university. 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. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. The Dukes had already canceled five games last week. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Lauren you are forever in our hearts. Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg. Odicci Alexander, who was a member of last season's JMU team, posted a tribute to Bernett on Twitter. The tragic news of the James Madison University softball star's death has been announced on April 26, 2022, and many fans are searching for Lauren Bernett's cause of death at the young age of 20. ", "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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. According to the medical examiner's. 8:35 pm ET, Jamie Cail's death being investigated in Virgin Islands, 2023 Kentucky Derby horses, futures picks, best bets, Maine HS basketball game ends with wild buzzer-beater, 2023 Rebel Stakes odds, horse racing picks, 2023 Saudi Cup odds, horse racing picks, best bets, Where every state stands on legalizing sports betting. Bernett . The Virginia university did not reveal Bernett's cause of death. "We are a tight family. Lauren,You have made such a big impact on this team not only as a player but as a person. The sophomore catcher earned the honor Monday after going 7-for-9 with seven RBIs and four runs scored, including a home run, during a three-game sweep of Drexel this past weekend. James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. Sarah Shulze, a member of the University of Wisconsin's women's track and field and cross-country teams, was reported to have died by suicide earlier this month at the age of 21,NBC Newsreported on Monday. "We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We are a tight family. Tragic news James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett -- who was just named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on Monday -- has died, the school announced. "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," Alger and Bourne said in their statement. Bernett, a sophomore catcher from McDonald, Pennsylvania, was a key contributor for James Madison last season on its way to a surprise showing inthe 2021 Women's College World Series. She was 20. Since 2005! MORE: Mental health resources for student-athletes becoming priority at colleges. LB @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/v0kGY6g1Mh, Many of Bernett's teammates shared their reactions to the tragic news on social media. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: general | pageType: stories | James Madison softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped the Dukes reach last year's Women's College World Series, has died at age 20. She was 7-of-9 at the plate with seven RBI and four runs as JMU swept Drexel over the weekend. / by Matt Weyrich. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced on Tuesday. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. The school did not release a cause of death in its announcement. "We will miss her dearly.". Statement from President Alger and Jeff Bourne on the loss of one of our own: pic.twitter.com/A5JBuR5RUg, James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) April 26, 2022. T. "This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly," head coach Loren LaPorte said in a statement. Keep shining. Shulze, of Oak Park, California, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the 2020 and 2021 cross country seasons, as well as 2021 for track. I am so thankful that you were put in my life, and I will always cherish the time I had with you on the field and off the field. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. Fellow pitcher Alexis Bermudez tweeted she loves Bernett and hopes she's "with all the puppies (she) can handle.". She had just been named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week on Monday after a strong performance in a series against Drexel over the weekend. She was 20 years old. Bernett was a sophomore from McDonald, Pennsylvania and an integral part of the JMU team that made it to the 2021 Women's College World Series. Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid federal pressure to lower costs of life-saving medication, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. She was an integral part of the James Madison. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. James Madison softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced Tuesday. James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. It rained all day yesterday and then this happened. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year," Alger said in a statement released toJMUSports.com. Wisconsin officials also shared their devastation while paying tribute to Shulze. Crisis Text Linealso provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. The University announced its home softball doubleheader against Longwood University on Wednesday has subsequently been canceled. Days after the sports world learned about the passing of James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, a cause of death has been revealed. James Madison announced Tuesday that softball team catcher Lauren Bernett had died. She was an integral part of the James Madison team that made it to the 2021 Women's College World Series. The school announced her death Tuesday, and the following day . James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. "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. Infielder Jasmine Hall shared a video of herself singing with Bernett, adding she'll "always cherish" the time she had with her. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. My condolences to the @JMUSoftball program, the Bernett family and all Lauren's teammates and friends. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University president Jonathan Alger and athletic directorJeff Bourne said in a combined statement. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.". JMU officials announced the heartbreaking news of Lauren Bernett on Tuesday morning, saying the tragedy was "devastating.". She had just earned Colonial Athletic Association. Gunman Shoots Homeless Man Point Blank In The Head, Despite Being Locked Up for Megan Shooting, Suspended For Spitting On Drew Doughty In Game, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Along with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County forms the Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area Wikipedia. Shehit .778with seven RBIin the series. Lauren Bernett was a JMU softball player known for being a standout in the program. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement read. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped her team reach the final four of the College World Series last year, has died. Hutcheson confirmed the 20-year-old's death is being classified as such, however, an investigation is ongoing and an official report from the medical examiner's office is pending. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. A cause of death has been revealed for James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. Bernett, a sophomore, was a star catcher for the Dukes and had just had arguably her best week ever on the diamond for JMU. I love you Lauren pic.twitter.com/lDVFWykasX, Former JMU star Odicci Alexander, Softball America's 2021 Pitcher of the Year, wrote "Love you LB" with a broken heart emoji two minutes before tweeting "You really never know what someone is going through.". "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss . College softball star Lauren Bernett died of apparent suicide, authorities say James Madison University announced Bernett's death Tuesday, saying in a statement, "Our hearts are aching.". On the day that doubleheader was set to take place, the Dukes announced this weekend's three-game series against Delaware is also cancelled. , she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats release a cause of death has been of... 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