HARRISONBURG, Va. — Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs help or has suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
A Virginia university has decided to end its softball season after a standout player died last week.
According to ESPN, James Madison University said Monday that it was canceling its last four games of the season. The team had been scheduled to face Virginia and Elon this week, the outlet reported.
>> RELATED STORY: Lauren Bernett, James Madison University softball star, dead at 20
The announcement came just one week after sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett, 20, died of a suspected suicide, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
Statement from President Alger and Jeff Bourne on the loss of one of our own: pic.twitter.com/A5JBuR5RUg
— James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) April 26, 2022
“This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly,” head coach Loren LaPorte said in a statement posted on James Madison’s website. “We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren’s memory while finishing the academic semester strong.”
JMU softball announced Monday that its 2022 season has concluded.https://t.co/kSfQHYnyqQ#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/TRWtZm5fpZ
— JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) May 2, 2022
The team, which also called off five games last week, finished the season 21-21, according to ESPN.
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