JMU Dukes Lauren Bernett softball player, part of 2021 College World Series running, dies

The school announced, Tuesday, the death of Lauren Burnett, a softball player at James Madison University.

No cause of death or additional details were provided.

“Our hearts are heartbroken, we hear the news of the loss of one of our student athletes. Lauren Burnett has been a distinguished member of the softball team and a wonderful ambassador for JMU and our athletics program,” JMU President Jonathan Alger and Athletics Director Jeff Bourne He said in a joint statement. “She was a key member of the 2021 Women’s College World Championship team as a freshman catcher last year.

“College athletics is great because of the people we interact with every day. We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of the JMU athletics community and we will always consider her a Duke. We will miss her dearly.”

Odicci Alexander, star of JMU’s Women’s College World Series in 2021, posted Love you LB on social media, plus, “You never know what someone’s going through.”

I love you LB 💔 pic.twitter.com/4nHtx3PODR

– Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) 26 April 2022

Sophomore Burnett was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on Monday, after a weekend streak in which she went 7-for-9 with seven RBIs, scored four runs and ran home.

As part of the university’s release, it has provided links to its counseling center and additional resources for those dealing with mental health issues.