NIU baseball senior pitcher Kyle Glancy assumed the role of closer last season and went on to net the second most amount in the MAC, with 12 overall.

Following that performance last season, Glancy was named to a national list of closers to watch for the award received by the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

“First of all, it’s good for our program to be recognized at the national level,” Glancy said. “Second of all it’s an honor for me, especially in my senior year. I’m proud to be on that list.”

The evolution of Glancy’s pitching ability has been a slow process as opposed to a meteoric burst to the scene, as he pitched to the tune of a 10.27 ERA in 2009 and a 5.97 in 2010. In 2011, he posted a 2.86 ERA, and a 1-0 record, along with the 12 saves.

“We kind of joke around here that Kyle is the most likely to be an MMA fighter down the road,” said head coach Ed Mathey. “He has a tremendous ethic and intensity for everything he does, it’s a good thing to see.”

Mathey also credits Glancy’s work put into the art of pitching, including changing his arm angle to find a better release point which has shown marked improvement and flexibility, leading to more durability.

Glancy was the only nominee from the entire MAC conference, and the first from NIU since former closer and all time leader in saves Matt German.

“I think it’s a well earned honor,” Mathey said. “We’ve had guys on this list before and Kyle fits right in line with them. Those guys had a chance to do things professionally after baseball at NIU, but Kyle is focused on this year.

Glancy figures largely into the group of seniors who are hoping to build on accomplishments from last season and make a run to the MAC tournament.

“This is probably the most talented team I’ve been on since I’ve been here,” Glancy said. “We just have to put it all together, stick to the fundamentals and we will have a good chance to do something great this year.”

Mathey believes he is a strong leader, although on the quiet side, and leads by example in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom.

While the nomination is obviously a ringing endorsement of what Glancy accomplished last season and is projected to accomplish this season, Glancy uses it as motivation as opposed to a distraction or extra pressure.

“It motivates me to help the team and really doesn’t make a difference too much in my play,” Glancy said. “There’s no pressure, I’m going to do

what I was going to do anyway, which is give my team a chance to win at the end of ball games.”