At the end of the NIU bullpen is the reliable arm of Matt German.

The senior closer is on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watch List, and has been tabbed by Collegiate Baseball as the “Projected Pitcher of the Year” for the Mid-American Conference.

But despite all the accolades that have come because of his devastating slider, the floppy-haired German remains humble.

The Northern Star sat down for five minutes with the man NIU coach Ed Mathey counts on to seal the deal on a win.

Northern Star: The season is a third of the way over and the team is first in the MAC. How does that feel?

Matt German: It is an awesome feeling to be in first. Last year, we started out strong in the MAC. I hope we can keep it going this year.

NS: What has been the key to the strong start in MAC play?

MG: The coaching staff said to go out and have fun. It is still vital to win games, but this is just a game and it has helped us to be relaxed. The wins have been easier, and the losses have been easier to bounce back from for that reason.

NS: What has been the key to the strong play?

MG: Everybody has just come together. We are getting the big two-out hits, playing good defense, and when you got a guy like Trevor Feeney going out there on Fridays and throwing complete games, that makes it so much easier on everybody.

NS: Coach and the position players have loved the quick pace the pitching staff has used. Why is that important?

MG: The quicker pace just makes the fielder’s job so much easier. The second pitcher for Akron was real fast. With quick innings, your hitters are just ready to get in there and hit.

NS: You work quickly; anything you said to the guys?

MG: I wish I could take credit for it, but I’m just glad to see it. I think they saw the success you could have working quickly, it makes hitters more uncomfortable up there, and that is the whole point of being a pitcher — to make hitters uncomfortable.

NS: You had to step into the batter’s box this weekend because of a lineup snafu…

MG: On the way home, I told coach I wish I could have remembered it more; it all happened so fast. I got in the box, took the first pitch, swung at the next one and hit it.

NS: Some of the players I’ve talked to said it was quite a sight.

MG: My last year in high school I hit .286, I couldn’t even get a single in high school, I have no idea how I did it.

NS: Last year, you said you mentally prepared with classical music. Do you still do that?

MG: Yes, I still do a lot of classical music before the game, but I’ve let go of some of my other superstitions.

NS: No more rubber bands or pitch sequences when you warm up?

MG: This is my senior year and I want to come to the ballpark relaxed and ready to go. I still put my left sock on before my right and still have the four rubber bands on though.

NS: What is the best part of being in the bullpen all game?

MG: Hanging out for the first eight innings with all the guys down there.

NS: What goes on in the bullpen?

MG: I wish I could tell you James…