James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett from McDonald dies
HARRISONBURG, Va. (KDKA) - A James Madison University softball player from McDonald has died.
Lauren Bernett was a "key member" of James Madison's Women's College World Series team last year, president Jonathan Alger and athletics director Jeff Bourne said in a joint statement Tuesday.
Barnett, a sophomore, had been the Dukes' starting catcher the past two seasons. Just Monday, she was named the Colonial Athletic Association player of the week following a weekend series in which she went 7-for-9 with one home run, seven RBIs and four runs scored.
"College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. 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," the statement said.
Bernett was a sophomore majoring in biology and was a member of the National Honor Society, her bio on James Madison's website said. She has two brothers and two sisters.
Before coming to James Madison, she played at South Fayette High School.
Abbey Neel was a sophomore when Bernett was a senior. Neel said she looked up to Bernett not only as an older teammate but a friend she could turn to in time of need. Even though she graduated two years ago, Neel said her loss was felt at school today.
"She definitely was a light. On those hard days, she definitely was uplifting. She was definitely a team leader," Neel said.
The university did not say how she died.
