James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett, key part of 2021 WCWS run, dies

Lauren Bernett, a catcher at James Madison, has died, the school announced Tuesday.

Bernett was a sophomore for the Dukes this year and played a major role in their Women’s College World Series run last season. No cause of death was provided.

“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes,” JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said in a joint statement. “Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. She was a key member of our 2021 Women’s College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year.

“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. 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. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.”

As a freshman in 2021, Bernett batted .235 in 44 appearances, including 43 starts. She also had three home runs and 10 RBI to her name, as well.

She developed quite a bond with star pitcher and battery mate Odicci Alexander, who proved to be a breakout star of last year’s WCWS. Alexander took to Twitter to pay tribute to her teammate Tuesday morning.

Love you LB 💔 pic.twitter.com/4nHtx3PODR

— Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) April 26, 2022

During the 2022 season, Bernett started 36 of 41 games and had a .336 batting average to go with nine home runs and 33 RBI for the Dukes. She also had seven RBI against Charleston on April 16, tying a program record, and was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week honors April 25. James Madison is 21-21 overall and 10-5 in CAA action this season.