Sports The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 — 7A Berenson in no rush to decide future By KEVIN SANTO Daily Sports Writer The Michigan hockey team’s season ended in Cincinnati on Saturday with a 5-2 loss to North Dakota in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament. At his first media availability since that loss, Michigan coach Red Berenson predicted which rising seniors he could see having breakout seasons in 2016. And he discussed how the power play unit would adjust next year after losing its point man — sophomore defenseman Zach Werenski — to the NHL. The focus on what lies ahead for the Wolverines made some wonder whether Berenson was leaning toward returning for another year with the program. He quickly dispelled that notion, though. “(Talking about next year), that’s what I do,” Berenson said. “This week is a week of losing players and trying to fit together our group for next year. We’re talking about spring term and that’s what I have to do. I have to help plan what’s going on. “Then, at some point, I’ll have meetings with my administration and we’ll talk about whether I’m going to be here or not. But we definitely have a plan (for next year). We’re not going to just walk away and take the keys with us.” As for the timeframe for his decision, Berenson expects he will reach a consensus with Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel well before the end of June. Berenson plans to meet with Manuel within the next few days to have an in-depth conversation about his future, before taking some time to make a final decision. “I want to let the smoke clear a little bit from this season,” Berenson said. “I don’t want to make an emotional decision because I’m pissed off at somebody or something. I want to make a decision that’s good for the program.” Berenson did admit that attrition could sway his decision, though. He has already lost Werenski and junior defenseman Michael Downing to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, respectively. And it’s unclear what freshman forward Kyle Connor will decide regarding his professional future with the Winnipeg Jets — who drafted him 17th overall in the NHL draft last summer. But none among that group could swing the pendulum of Berenson’s decision to return to Michigan. Two players who could sway Berenson, though, are junior forwards Tyler Motte and JT Compher. Compher captained the Wolverines this year, but could potentially leave Ann Arbor to join the Colorado Avalanche organization. Motte — who was second on the team in goals with 32 — faces a similar decision with the Chicago Blackhawks. But if the duo decides to return for their senior seasons, it could foreshadow Berenson’s future at Yost Ice Arena. “I’m not going to lose a lot of sleep over it at this point, but I would feel better about our team moving forward (with JT and Tyler),” Berenson said. “They’re the leaders of this team and they would be the leaders of next year’s team. … Let’s face it, they’re the guys that are going to drive the bus.” But those are individual decisions Motte and Compher must make for themselves. As for Berenson, all we can do is wait. JAMES COLLER/Daily Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson will take his time before deciding whether to return as coach next season. “I’m not going to lose sleep over it at this point.” Blue Jackets sign D-man Werenski By JUSTIN MEYER & JASON RUBINSTEIN Daily Sports Writers With the talent the Michigan hockey team brings in each year, early NHL defections are inevitable. And this year is no different. Tuesday morning, sophomore defenseman Zach Werenski agreed to a three-year entry level contract with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and signed an amateur tryout contract with the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters — the Blue Jacket’s minor league affiliate — for the remainder of the season. The Daily first reported Werenski had been in contract talks with the Blue Jackets organization on Monday night. Werenski, the Big Ten Defenseman of the Year, was drafted eighth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. In a breakout sophomore season, he tallied 11 goals and 24 assists during the season, and his 35 points ranked fourth on the team. He also anchored the Wolverines’ nation-leading power-play unit. Werenski came back to Michigan for his sophomore season after a strong freshman year, which he said was a difficult decision. “I wanted to come back here to learn as a player, just grow my game in all three zones,” Werenski told the Daily earlier this year. “The main thing is learning and becoming a better player. I think I did a good job of that in the first half (of the season). I think that really showed at World Juniors — how good of a job Michigan has done developing their players.” Werenski played his best at the end of the season, drawing praise from Wolverines head coach Red Berenson. “I think he played the best hockey of his two-year career at Michigan in these last couple months and showed Columbus that he was a real serious prospect. If they could sign him, they were going to sign him, and they did,” Berenson said. “He started to play like he could play. He loved the puck more, he got his shots through, he was more involved in the whole game physically, defensively. He broke up big plays. He really played like he was trying to take it to a new level. “He needed to be reminded sometimes that he’s got the green light to go.” Added Weresnki: “I kind of realized it after (this season’s) World Juniors. I don’t know why it didn’t register in college hockey for me earlier on. “The coaches have so much faith in me. I just had to go out there and believe it.” The 18-year-old reported to Lake Erie on Tuesday, and is set to face off against senior Michigan forward Justin Selman — who signed with the Chicago Wolves — on Friday. Werenski said he has not had any discussion about the timing of his move to the Blue Jacket’s roster, but that it would depend on his play. “There’s a lot of unknowns and things I’ve never been exposed to in the pro lifestyle,” Werenski said. “But I think going to Michigan, and going to college anywhere, really prepares you for the challenges ahead. “Michigan does a really good job of making you a better person.” ICE HOCKEY Aggressive offense key in Michigan’s 9-7 win Slater leads Wolverines’ offensive charge in home debut By ETHAN WOLFE Daily Sports Writer In the bottom of the first inning of the Michigan baseball team’s Tuesday game against Central Michigan, Jake Bivens smacked a line drive to left center field. As the junior third baseman turned the corner around first base, his run turned into a slow jog on his way to a stand-up double. Bivens’ leadoff hit set the stage for the rest of the game, which saw the 20th-ranked Wolverines’ lineup have little trouble getting on base, powering Michigan to a 9-7 win over the Chippewas. Bivens’ hit helped the Wolverines (17-5) take the early 1-0 lead, as he scored after two consecutive groundouts pushed him home. Junior right fielder Johnny Slater, who made his first home start of the season, made a powerful impression when he crushed the ball for a two-run double off the left center field wall in the second inning. “It felt good,” said Slater. “My swing is starting to feel better and it’s getting better every day.” Added Michigan coach Erik Bakich: “He’s been working hard. He had some tough luck earlier in the season, but nobody has lost any confidence in his ability. It was good to see him drive a ball to the fence, get a couple RBIs and get on the bases. He can change the game with his speed.” The offense continued to pour on runs in the second inning. Slater stole third base standing up and Bivens grounded into a fielder’s choice to drive him in. Bivens followed suit, stealing second base and eventually crossing home from a single by fifth-year senior left fielder Matt Ramsay. Overall, six Wolverine batters recorded RBIs on Tuesday. But more notably, they stole a season- high six bases. “We saw that our opponent had given up a lot of stolen bases, so we thought that would be something to push and take some chances,” Bakich said. “We talk a lot about getting extra bases and getting into scoring position. Our guys did a good job of getting those opportunities.” After encountering trouble from Central Michigan (1-2 Mid-American, 5-20 overall) in the seventh inning that resulted in a tied score of 6-6, Michigan responded immediately. Ramsay walked and junior first baseman Carmen Benedetti singled to start the frame. They executed a double steal with no throw from the catcher. With both runners in scoring position, junior catcher Harrison Wenson hit a sacrifice fly and scored Ramsay to recapture Michigan’s lead. The play after, the Wolverines again showcased their speed, as Benedetti scored on a wild pitch to extend their lead, 8-6. “We have a team that understands that you’re going to have to a take a punch and you’re going to have to get back up,” Bakich said. “Multiple times now, we’ve had to find a way (to win). It’s a sign of a team that’s tough and resilient.” Unlike most of the team’s previous games, it was not Michigan’s pitching that carried the team. Rather, the Wolverines swung consistently and had their best day of the season so far on the basepaths. And it paid dividends. Wolverines top Chippewas By SYLVANNA GROSS Daily Sports Writer The Michigan baseball team shuffled its lineup on Tuesday and let junior Johnny Slater hit eighth in the rotation, and the move turned out to be beneficial for the Wolverines. Slater, in his first appearance at Ray Fisher stadium this season, knocked in two runs with a double to left-center field in the bottom of the second inning. “It felt good,” Slater said. “I’ve been working on my swing, and it’s starting to feel better. We don’t worry too much on who we’re playing, we just focus on us.” Slater’s double allowed sophomore designated hitter Drew Lugbauer and senior centerfielder Cody Bruder to make it home safely. Then, the junior right fielder scored as well, and the inning finished out with a run by Jake Bivens, leaving the score 5-0. And the Wolverines never looked back, riding Slater’s strong home debut to defeat Central Michigan on Tuesday, 9-7. Junior pitcher Keith Lehmann contributed to Michigan’s hot start after throwing a quick first two innings. It was the first time he’s started at home, but that didn’t phase him. “Regardless of the role, I don’t look at it as starting is bigger than coming out of the bullpen,” Lehmann said. “It’s the same thing and you prepare the same way. ” The only hiccup in his performance was a wild pitch that hit Chippewa second baseman Jason Sullivan in the cheek. Sullivan quickly went down and it took a couple minutes before he was able to stand up and walk off he field. Sullivan’s classmate Jarrod Watkins pinch ran for Sullivan to first. “That was not what I wanted to do,” Lehmann said. “I don’t know what happened. It looked like (Sullivan) didn’t see it. I clearly wasn’t trying to do that, so I went up and apologized. But that’s baseball, it happens.” Michigan coach Erik Bakich, following the hit, took out Lehmann — the first of six pitching substitutions. According to Lehmann, that’s the beauty of the Wolverine pitching staff. Every athlete is able to come out of the bullpen and be effective on the mound. It helps that Michigan is strong offensively, too. “It’s fantastic,” Lehmann said. “The team itself, offensively, this year is a very good offensive team. No matter who you are as a pitcher, if you have a good hitting team, it makes your job a lot easier.” In the top of the third inning, Central Michigan scored its first runs when sophomore Zach McKinstry doubled to left field and batted in two runs. Michigan (16-5) has played the Chippewas (5-20) every year since 1991, compiling an overall record of 39-28 and the Wolverines have won the last six consecutive games. Despite a bind in the seventh inning, this contest was no different. Michigan was tied 6-6 with Central Michigan in the bottom of the seventh. But after two stolen bases, a run on a wild pitch and a single RBI, the Wolverines scored three runs to assure the Chippewas’ defeat. Junior first baseman Carmen Benedetti and fifth-year senior left fielder Matt Ramsay stole second and third, respectively. Following the play, junior catcher Harrison Wenson flew out to right field, allowing Ramsay to make a run. Benedetti soon scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-6. Wenson, who is the cleanup hitter, went 0-3 at bat, but still managed to keep his batting average at .400. The slump comes after an impressive weekend, but according to Bakich, “That’s baseball.” “We have a team that knows how to find a way and respond,” Bakich said. “We know you’re going to get knocked down and you’re going to have to get back up, which is what we’ve done.” CMU MICHIGAN 7 9 EVAN AARON/Daily The Michigan baseball team depended on its aggressive offense in a 9-7 win over Central Michigan on Tuesday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium.