Dave Wigren

A coach at virtually every level, Coach Dave Wigren works with the infielders, runs the pre-game infield/outfield, and coaches 1B. This marks his 8^th year on staff. He’s the “Don Zimmer” of Chandler St. In 2001 Worcester State turned 32 double plays (2^nd best in school history), 29 in 2002-05, and 25 in 2003. In 2000 the team turned 27 DPs. Every year he has coached in the playoffs at Worcester State including the ECACs (2), NCAAs (2) and MASCAC Tournament (5). This has included 3 MASCAC Finals, 1 ECAC Final, and 1 ECAC Semi-final. Moreover, his infielders received major honors in 2002 (Zac Attaway Worcester State Rookie of Year) and Matt Heenan (1^st team All New England & MASCAC). In 2001 it was Tim Leonard (All-MASCAC), Matt Heenan (All-New England), and Tim McDonald (Worcester State Top Defense). In 2003, Attaway, Bear Dunn, and Wood were All-MASCAC. In 2004, Attaway was All-MASCAC. In 2005 LaHair, DiTullio, and Dunn all made All-MASCAC. Every year Wigren has coached an All-MASCAC infielder and 5 MASCAC Players of the Year (Swedberg-3, Dunn and LaHair). Wigren has an engaging personality, which makes him one of the top recruiters in New England. DW throws the best BP in New England. Coach organizes the annual overnight recruiting visits plus runs the MIAA concessions and campus intramural events. He coached with WPI (1994-96) and also Clark (1997-99). Dave has also been with Legion and Sr. Ruth clubs. He coached in the Sr. Ruth World Series in 1994 and 2000. The 2000 squad won 2 games and finished 5^th in USA. In 2001, the all-stars made the New England Final. He’s been a coach in the Paul N. Johnson League which has participated in the past 15 New England Tournaments. He’s coached for 25+ seasons in the area. Dave works at Norton Company, and was honored in 2001 for his 20+ years of volunteer work and outstanding service to the company. A father-grandfather, Dave lives in Worcester with wife Karyn; kids Nicole, Danielle, Cassandra & Jared

Jay Lavender

Coach Lavender begins his second year on the Worcester State staff as a graduate assistant.  He is a 2005 graduate of Aurora University where he was a three year member of the Spartan baseball squad.  Coach Lavender was a three time all-conference selection and was also a 2003 All-Region 2nd team selection followed by a 1st team honoree his senior season.  His team was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation during his playing days and his team reached the 2004 College World Series where his performance earned him a spot on the World Series All-Tournament team.  His senior season he was selected as a 1st team All-American as well as being chosen as Aurora University's Male Athlete of the Year.

Coach Lavender graduated cum laude with a double major of Business Management and Criminal Justice.  He was on the NIIC Academic All-Conference team his junior and senior years.

Chris DeSantis

Coach DeSantis begins his first year on the Lancer coaching staff.  A native of Shrewsbury, he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter with the Eastern Connecticut State University baseball program between 2003 and 2006.

The left-handed hitting first baseman was a member of three regional championship, three Little East Conference regular season and three Little East Conference playoff championship teams at Eastern, with the Warriors competing in the national championship game in 2004.

In a 168-game career, DeSantis batted .308 with 168 hits, 223 total bases, eight home runs and 98 RBI, setting seasons records as a senior with 485 putouts and 525 fielding chances. In his final three seasons, he appeared in 148 of a possible 153 games.

During his career, DeSantis led the Warriors twice in putouts, twice in chances, and twice in fielding average. During DeSantis’ senior year in 2006, Eastern won 36 games and lost 20, captured the Little East Conference playoff title, and won six of seven games to claim the NCAA Division III New York Regional championship. As the team’s cleanup hitter that season, DeSantis was third on the team with a .319 batting average and led the Warriors in putouts (485) chances (525) and fielding average (.987), runs (40), doubles (15) and walks (40).

As a junior in 2005, DeSantis batted .310 with three home runs and 29 RBI in 43 games and was named second-team all-Little East Conference at first base.

The Warriors won 152 and lost 53 during DeSantis’ career for a winning percentage of .741 and were 14-1 in regional tournament play.  DeSantis currently (2007) ranks second all-time at Eastern in putouts (1,243) and chances (1,330), tied for seventh in fielding percentage (.988) and tenth in walks (87).

Jeff LaHair

Coach LaHair is beginning his second year on the Lancer baseball staff.  Coming off a season when he was the MASCAC Co-Player of the Year (5^th Lancer since 2000), LaHair kept the feeling going as the starting 2B for the Worcester Tornadoes. He played under former MLB Rookie of the Year Rich Gedman and those learned qualities will certainly pay off as he’ll handle the infielders and baserunning duties this spring. The Lancer captain in 2006 hit the greatest HR in school history with a walk-off bottom of the 9^th bomb to win the 2005 MASCAC Tournament. He also hit the game-winning grand slam vs. Framingham to win the MASCAC regular season title. LaHair was a 2-time All-MASCAC player, 2-time 2^nd team All-New England, Male Athlete of Year, Team MVP & Top Hitter. Brother Bryan made the Mariners 40-man roster in 2007.

Michael Meagher

Coach Meagher begins his first year on the Lancer baseball staff as their pitching coach.  He was a 2005 draftee of the St. Louis Cardinals after a successful year at the University of Maryland.  He attended Uof M after a successful high school career at Holy Name.  He has been a 2 year member of the Worcester Tornadoes and will be looking to make the team once again this season.  He coached at Clark University last season.