Lauren Bernett was a collegiate softball player. She was 20 years-old. She attended high school at South Fayette High School in McDonald, Pennsylvania. Lauren furthered her education by earning a scholarship to attend James Madison University and played for the Division 1 softball team. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was majoring in biology with a minor in pre-vet.
Prior to attending college at James Madison University, Lauren Bernett was a star in high school as she played on the varsity softball team at South Fayette High school. She also played fastpitch softball for Team Pennsylvania as part of the under-18 team throughout her high school career. Lauren excelled in the classroom as well and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Her high marks raised eyebrows for recruiters and she was offered a scholarship to play softball at James Madison University, which she accepted.
Lauren Bernett achieved instant success at James Madison University. In her Freshman year, Bernett earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Academic Honor-Roll in the fall of 2020 and spring 2021. She also made the dean’s list in fall 2020. She demonstrated her athletic prowess in spring 2021 as a member of the James Madison softball team. She earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors for the week of March 2 after having recorded 4 hits, two of which were doubles, in the Cavalier Classic. She had three home runs on the season, and a home run in the Knoxville Regional Championships against Liberty University. She had 18 put-outs in that series, which was a season high. The Dukes advanced to the Super Regionals for the 3rd time in program history. She went 2 for 4 with one run-batted-in in the Columbia Super Regionals Finals and helped the Dukes advance to their first ever College World Series appearance. The Dukes started the double elimination tournament 2-0, but in the semifinals, with a chance to get to the final of the college world series, they lost two games to eventual champions Oklahoma.
Lauren Bernett was doing well in her sophomore season. She had a 7 RBI game against the College of Charleston on April 16. This was a tie for a single-game record. She earned CAA Player of the Week Honors on April 25.
Lauren’s life was cut short with her tragic passing on April 25th. It was later revealed that she had committed suicide.
James Madison University announced their decision to cancel the rest of their softball season on Monday May 2 to allow players and their families, as well as the rest of the James Madison University community to grieve. The Dukes were 21-21 on the season, which included a 10-5 conference record.
author’s note: if you, or someone you know, is struggling and might be at risk of causing self-harm, please direct them to this national hotline for suicide prevention 1-800-273-8255.
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