MILLBURY – The recruiting process is officially over for Lake baseball standout Jayce
Vancena.Last Thursday, the right-handed pitcher signed his national letter of intent to play baseball at the
University of Michigan."This has been a day that I’ve been looking forward to ever since I committed
last fall," Vancena said in a telephone interview. "Just getting everything set in stone and
having everything ready to get my way up there."Vancena posted a 3-4 record with a 1.06 earned-run
average last season. He recorded 75 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.As a sophomore Vancena worked mainly as a
closer, as he went 3-0 with 10 saves in 19 games with a 0.88 ERA.And the hard-throwing, 6-foot-4 Vancena
expects next spring’s season to come with fewer worries, having the recruiting process out of the
way."It’s a great feeling," Vancena said. "It’s relieving, maybe more than committing. It’s
just a great feeling to get that off your back. All of the stress is gone really now."Upon arriving on
campus next fall, Vancena will join a Wolverines’ team that has already seen improvement under second-year
head coach Erik Bakich.Michigan compiled a 39-72 record over the 2011 and 2012 seasons.But last season,
Bakich’s first at UM, he led the Wolverines to a 29-27 overall record, including 14-10 in the Big Ten.
Michigan went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tournament.Bakich, known for his strong recruiting, has continued that
trend at Michigan.After his first season, Bakich has put together the Big Ten’s top recruiting class in a
ranking by "Collegiate Baseball." The 2013-14 class is also ranked No. 20 nationally by the
publication."Ever since I was little I’ve been a Michigan fan. They were my No. 1 the whole time going
into the whole recruiting process," Vancena said. "Once they offered, I knew I couldn’t pass it up
because it was my dream school. … That’s honestly where I feel I belong and where I’ll see the most
success."