College softball teams around the country have paid tribute to the late Lauren Bernett in the days since her death.
James Madison University announced Bernett’s death on Tuesday. Bernett, a sophomore, was a member of JMU softball’s 2021 College World Series run and garnered Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week honors on Monday, after going 7-for-9 with seven RBIs, four runs scored and a home run over the weekend.
“We are in the process of conducting a death investigation into the incident and it is currently classified as an apparent suicide,” Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said in a statement on Wednesday. “The official report from the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending, and out of respect for her family and friends, there is no other information to release at this time.”
In games following Bernett’s death, other college softball teams have rallied together, putting tributes to her on their uniforms and fields. Also included in the tributes were the late Stanford soccer goalkeeper and captain Katie Meyer, who died in March of an apparent “self-inflicted” wound according to the medical examiner’s officer, and Wisconsin track and cross-country runner Sarah Shulze, who died by suicide earlier this month.
Remember their names…
Today we honor and mourn the tragic loss of these beautiful souls.
We must do better. It’s time to do whatever it takes. @ncaa @ncaasoftball @jmusoftball @umbclife @umbcathletics pic.twitter.com/qfKey9FCRG
โ UMBC Softball (@UMBCsoftball) April 27, 2022
Today we support, send love, and prayers to @JMUSoftball and Lauren’s family. The softball community is with you ๐๐ค #LB22 pic.twitter.com/FhHcLzdU7Q
โ Akron Zips Softball (@ZipsSB) April 29, 2022
#LB22 ๐ pic.twitter.com/w5GefivElA
โ UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) April 30, 2022
Our love to @JMUSoftball. Honoring Lauren’s memory tonight. ๐ pic.twitter.com/gribJXswgb
โ Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) April 29, 2022
#LB22 ๐ pic.twitter.com/6bWaxyootJ
โ Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 29, 2022
Wearing purple today in support of @JMUSoftball. Green for @hidden_opponent, you are not alone ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/fo4p08e1pg
โ Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 30, 2022
Prior to today’s #TurnpikeTussle members of the @EState_Softball and @IchabodSB come together in a moment of silence for @JMUSoftball Lauren Bernett. pic.twitter.com/lwClKr5v9w
โ ESU Athletics (@ESUSports) April 30, 2022
For Lauren ๐ @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/NCgFcVyy6z
โ Southern Miss Softball (@SouthernMissSB) April 30, 2022
This one’s for Lauren ๐#Team54 | @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/qLEKt83F87
โ MSU Bears Softball (@MSUSoftball) April 30, 2022
Playing for @JMUSoftball this weekend. ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/qlTresKle0
โ UC Riverside Softball (@UCRSoftball) April 30, 2022
Played with Lauren on our minds and in our hearts today ๐๐ค
Our thoughts and prayers are with @jmusoftball pic.twitter.com/UBqVzU8kHr
โ Clemson Softball ๐ฅ (@clemsonsoftball) April 30, 2022
We are thinking of @JMUSoftball community #flyhighLB ๐ pic.twitter.com/zPXhlhd5ob
โ Towson Softball (@Towson_SB) April 30, 2022
We play for LB ๐ pic.twitter.com/z9dDvqBpz0
โ JMU Lacrosse (@JMULacrosse) April 30, 2022
Representing #JMUsoftball with purple ribbons. Our student-athletes played for something bigger themselves yesterday. โฆ@JMUSoftballโฉ pic.twitter.com/h9NgRry28X
โ Southeastern Softball (@SavageStormSB) April 30, 2022
The softball world is one giant family & this week we lost a family member. We mourn with you & continue to pray for you @JMUSoftball ๐ pic.twitter.com/O7gUkGfn0N
โ Bryan College Softball (@BCLionsSoftball) April 30, 2022
Playing for #22 and @JMUSoftball today and everyday ๐๐ค pic.twitter.com/dMTYEeTe7R
โ Binghamton Softball (@BinghamtonSOFT) April 30, 2022
For Lauren ๐ @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/f0JhxO7nXn
โ Kennesaw State Softball (@KSUOwlsSB) April 30, 2022
Wearing purple today for @JMUSoftball ๐#Flagship ๐ฉ pic.twitter.com/k7XSRqEcdU
โ UMass Softball (@UMassSoftball) April 30, 2022
We added some purple to our blue and green this weekend.
Our hearts are with our sisters in softball at @JMUSoftball during this heartbreaking week.
You are never alone. pic.twitter.com/3FpJAfdN39
โ Ave Maria University Softball (@GyreneSoftball) April 30, 2022
Today your Lady Bears are wearing purple and green ribbon in honor of Lauren Bernett and all other athletes who have passed this year. Today we stand together and play for those who no longer can๐๐@JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/ar648Joj6X
โ Morgan State Softball (@MorganStateSB) April 30, 2022
๐ซ๐๐ถ๐๐พ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฟ๐ต ๐ @JMUSoftball
๐ https://t.co/POXZytZ0vp pic.twitter.com/Q2aC7BJUVY
โ Mason Baseball (@MasonBaseball) April 30, 2022
LB ๐ pic.twitter.com/ZzPFI6ElPJ
โ Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) April 29, 2022
LB ๐ pic.twitter.com/ZzPFI6ElPJ
โ Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) April 29, 2022
#LB22 ๐ pic.twitter.com/w5GefivElA
โ UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) April 30, 2022
Today we played for Lauren Bernett, our hearts are heavy. We are thinking of @JMUSoftball, Lauren’s family & friends, and the JMU Community. We are sending love and support to all in our softball community. #LB22๐ pic.twitter.com/BEWOAuWjTP
โ UNC Bears Softball (@UNC_BearsSB) April 30, 2022
For Lauren๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/6226QnRcHQ
โ BC Softball๐ฅ (@BC_Softball) April 29, 2022
For LB ๐ #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/YuIqxpHfLI
โ UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) April 29, 2022
For Lauren #LB22 ๐ค๐๐ pic.twitter.com/qaUTtxJTNo
โ Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) April 29, 2022
For Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/fuvseL1G41
โ Arkansas Razorback Softball (@RazorbackSB) April 30, 2022
Honoring Lauren. ๐@JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/2qZlQqqt1C
โ GCU Softball (@GCU_Softball) April 29, 2022
Keeping @JMUSoftball in our hearts as we play Oregon State tonight. pic.twitter.com/5LQvvYPrk3
โ Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) April 30, 2022
Our love to @JMUSoftball. Honoring Lauren’s memory tonight. ๐ pic.twitter.com/gribJXswgb
โ Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) April 29, 2022
Thinking of you, @JMUSoftball
Rest in paradise, Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/wioKRPmlsH
โ UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) April 29, 2022
Remembering Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/oR4LsHtKJY
โ Houston Softball (@UHCougarSB) April 29, 2022
Today we play for Lauren Bernett๐
We’re thinking of @JMUSoftball, Lauren’s friends and family, and the JMU community.
We’re sending love and support to all. #LB22 pic.twitter.com/FnWAA6XNtH
โ Nevada Softball (@Nevada_Softball) April 29, 2022
Today we’re wearing a purple ribbon as our thoughts are with @JMUSoftball and our softball community.
๐ก๐ผ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ. ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ!@ColoradoStateU has resources if you or someone you know needs help!
ยป https://t.co/wkDqJoDkQW pic.twitter.com/TuVb8X4Q3fโ Colorado State Softball (@CSUSoftball) April 29, 2022
Tonight we play with heavy hearts as we remember Lauren Bernett. ๐๐ค
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernett family and the @JMUSoftball community during these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/gFp8hz8kZ2
โ Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 29, 2022
More than a game… Playing for one of our sport’s own.@JMUSoftball ๐#GoCards pic.twitter.com/J8yPmmWAFw
โ Louisville Softball (@LouisvilleSB) April 29, 2022
For Lauren. ๐โค๏ธ @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/qUhKWeQKs8
โ FAU Softball (@FAUSoftball) April 29, 2022
We ๐ you #22@JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/AgUXUUIHL8
โ BYU Softball (@byusoftball) April 29, 2022
๐๐๐@JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/ZsojVwKBgZ
โ Texas State Softball (@TXStateSoftball) April 29, 2022
Lauren, you are loved ๐๐
We are sending our continued support and prayers to @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/iwKrSpwdtk
โ Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) April 29, 2022
For Lauren ๐
Our thoughts are with the @JMUSoftball community during this difficult time.#LB22 pic.twitter.com/3Grp4Qq98d
โ Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) April 29, 2022
#LB22 ๐ pic.twitter.com/6bWaxyootJ
โ Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 29, 2022
Mental health matters, you matter! @JMUSoftballโฉ our hearts are heavy for you. Fly high Lauren pic.twitter.com/Kh5vsrv9Fo
โ FMU Softball (@fmu_softball) April 29, 2022
Even though @SoftballEMU is in Salem this weekend for the ODAC Tournament, their hearts are in Harrisonburg with @JMUSoftball and the entire @JMU community! pic.twitter.com/gFZzb0cef8
โ EMU Athletics (@EMU_Athletics) April 29, 2022
Today we play for Lauren Bernett, our hearts are extremely heavy. We are thinking of @JMUSoftball, Lauren’s family & friends, and the JMU Community. We are sending love and support to all in our softball community. #LB22๐ pic.twitter.com/VKaHrEuuTk
โ Yale Softball (@YaleSoftball) April 29, 2022
You are loved. ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/04HOutAkXZ
โ Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 29, 2022
Playing for Lauren and keeping the @JMUSoftball family in our thoughts and prayers.๐ pic.twitter.com/gQmFfsXxtO
โ Illinois Softball (@IlliniSB) April 29, 2022
We play for change. We play for visibility. We play for Lauren. ๐๐ @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/r0yXydwT89
โ CMU Softball (@CMUSoftball) April 29, 2022
For @JMUSoftball & our very own 7๏ธโฃ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/zxa8InB2oo
โ Rock Valley College Softball (@RVC_Softball) April 29, 2022
๐๐๏ธ @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/j9MPsCofwj
โ Bridgewater Softball (@Bh2osoftball) April 29, 2022
Remembering @JMUSoftball student-athlete, Lauren Bernett๐ #LB22 pic.twitter.com/gBu53ce38d
โ North Alabama Athletics (@UNAAthletics) April 28, 2022
Sending you so much love, @JMUSoftball ๐ pic.twitter.com/sROk12yMSi
โ Jackrabbit Softball (@GoJacksSB) April 28, 2022
For Lauren ๐๐#LB22 pic.twitter.com/A6ScOTQeoa
โ Hofstra Softball (@HofstraSoftball) April 28, 2022
๐ pic.twitter.com/0NQvgzOlC4
โ Indiana State Softball (@IndStSoftball) April 27, 2022
Playing tonight’s game with @JMUSoftball in our hearts ๐๐๐งก pic.twitter.com/fz5QGPB0vI
โ Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) April 28, 2022
๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐๐๐ช๐ง๐๐ฃ ๐๐
โซ @JMUSoftball
โซ @JMUBaseball pic.twitter.com/fli94WCNbcโ Virginia Tech Baseball (@HokiesBaseball) April 27, 2022
Remembering Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/E4be4ng1j8
โ Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 27, 2022
For Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/H818k4YiiR
โ ULM Softball (@ULM_Softball) April 27, 2022
LB ๐ pic.twitter.com/r0diEXNufM
โ JMU Baseball (@JMUBaseball) April 27, 2022
๐๐ญ’๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐
Thinking of @JMUSoftball๐ pic.twitter.com/TNuKok5x6j
โ Illinois State Softball (@RedbirdsSB) April 27, 2022
You are loved. ๐๐#LB pic.twitter.com/6p77P4LuUA
โ Stetson Softball (@StetsonSoftball) April 27, 2022
Sending love and prayers to @JMUSoftball ๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/XQouEzC0iJ
โ Garnet Valley Softball (@Go_Jags_SB) April 27, 2022
You are so loved. ๐ pic.twitter.com/VEBgeHraqG
โ Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) April 27, 2022
For Lauren ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/8aRlrMDlwR
โ UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 27, 2022
Today we are playing for something more than just softball.
Our hearts go to @JMUSoftball and Lauren’s family.๐๐ pic.twitter.com/xt7fxDWJDs
โ Charlotte Softball (@CharlotteSB) April 27, 2022
It’s more than a game.
Thinking of @JMUSoftball today ๐#BeDauntless pic.twitter.com/jmvmVQlHEG
โ Mason Softball (@MasonSoftball) April 27, 2022
For Lauren ๐ pic.twitter.com/UP5fQoT6vD
โ Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) April 27, 2022
