BB: Head Coach Greg Harjula steps down after nine seasons

NEWTON, Mass. – After nine seasons on the job, Lasell College baseball coach Greg Harjula is stepping down following the 2019 campaign.

Harjula has been with the Lasell baseball program since 2008, starting with two years as an assistant followed by the last nine years as head coach. He has recorded three 20-win seasons and eight conference tournament appearances, winning at least one tournament game the past seven years. He coached 42 All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference players and won 147 total games. He finished with a .500 or better record against GNAC opponents in eight of his nine seasons.

Coach Harjula goes out with a bang as the 2019 squad posted a 23-17 overall record, setting the program record for most wins in a season.

"I'm thankful that Lasell Athletic Director Kristy Walter took a chance on a young coach nine years ago," said Harjula. "We always tried to do things the right way with what was available, and I hope to see the next chapter in the program use the foundation that has been set to continue to grow Lasell Baseball."

Harjula took over a program in 2011 that was in just its third season as a varsity sport at Lasell, guiding the Lasers to a 21-15 record in his first season. The team made an ECAC post-season appearance in 2014, concluding with an 18-14 record, and won 21 games in 2016 before being topped with 23 wins this spring.

Prior to his time at Lasell, Harjula worked a one-year stint in 2007 at Randolph High School as the varsity head baseball coach.  Harjula was a four-year starter at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, and served as captain his senior year. In 2013, Harjula completed the Masters program at Bridgewater State University, earning his Master of Science Degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Pyschology.

Harjula enjoyed success at Lasell despite the team not having its own field, as the team practices and plays its home game at nearby Brandeis University.

"Greg has set the standard for the baseball program at a very high level," said Walter. "His teams are competitive, respectful and committed.  Every winter, I am amazed at his creative use of the gym for the indoor practices.  Even with 30-plus men in the gym, everyone is doing something productive and every square inch of the gym is being used."

"I am disappointed that Greg will be moving on, but I am thankful for the foundation that he has built for this program. We will work hard to build upon this and keep moving the program in the right direction. His will be big shoes to fill. We thank Greg for his commitment, dedication and leadership to Lasell College and to the baseball program. We wish him the best of luck and know that he will always be a part of the Laser Family."

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