Classic rock anthem walk-out songs: “Hell’s Bells,” by AC/DC and “Enter Sandman,” by Metallica.

The two songs are used to warn hitters that closers Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera are set to take the mound.

“Piano Concerto in A major,” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Here comes NIU closer Matt German.

“I tried to listen to heavy metal but I never was able to relax,” German said. “I need to play music that will allow me to relax like Beethoven, Mozart, Bach — Mozart is my favorite.”

For 16 and one-third of an inning this year, the lefty dominated opposing hitters with a flawless ERA.

On the season, German is 1-0 with 4 saves and a 0.53 ERA.

In a 5-3 win over Bradley on Tuesday, the junior allowed his first earned run on a bloop single to shallow right that scored a runner from third.

“All good things come to an end,” said NIU coach Ed Mathey. “I guess he’ll just have to start another streak.”

Coincidentally, it was German’s 13th appearance on the mound. A traditionally un-lucky number.

“I have tons of things I have to do before the game,” the superstitious German said. “I go through the same routine every day, and I always have to have a rubber band on my right wrist.”

As for the way he warms up in the bullpen?

Fastball, two sliders, fastball, two curve balls, fastball, slider, fastball. Every time.

When NIU played at St. Mary’s, the umpires made German remove the rubber band on his wrist. German said it was a mental block. But German received encouragement from Mathey, who promptly went to the dugout steps and yelled out, “Matt, it’s OK, it’s in your pocket!”

And those long light brown locks of hair that dangle out of German’s hat; those are superstitions, too.

“One time I cut my hair during the season,” German said. “I had a week where I started pitching bad, so I haven’t cut it during the whole season since.”

The locks may work for German on the mound, but they’re not as popular outside the ball park.

“My mom hates it. I can’t even stand it, I hate having long hair,” German said. “I wish I could cut it but I am just OCD about it.”

Flying partners

While German may possess eccentric habits on the field, his roommate, best friend and reigning MAC Player of the Week said he’s a free spirit off the field as well.

“He hates the idea of living the business life,” said junior first baseman Scott Simon. “He wants to be on the move, not stuck in a cubicle.”

Perhaps that explains German’s affinity for aviation.

Simon’s brother and father are both commercial airline pilots, and when Simon’s and German’s playing days are over, both have a desire to get their pilot’s licenses.

And even though they play different positions, German and Simon spend time planning their offseason workouts.

“To prepare for the season we talk about our goals,” Simon said. “We prepare differently physically since we play different positions, but Matt works his butt off running. I’d say that he is the best-conditioned player on the team. He’s got some serious stamina.”

Keep away

To label German a “crafty lefty” would be an understatement. He throws sliders 85 to 90 percent of the time, and has a fastball that tops out at 84 miles per hour.

Opponents have labeled German a “junk baller” because of his frequency in changing speeds. For German, it is more like a game of keep away.

“So much in college baseball is, ‘hit the first pitch fastball,'” German said. “I try to not give the hitters what they want. For some reason college hitters hate my slider.”

German was a redshirt freshman, and is a self-professed student of the game.

“As an underclassman, I was picking the brain of Joe Piekarz,” German said. “There are so many aspects to the game. That’s stuff we talk about in the bullpen before games. I look at other teams’ stats and analyze their tendencies. I try to pass that on to the younger guys.”

It comes as no surprise to Mathey that German took advice from NIU alumni now in pro baseball.

“Matt’s success is the result of preparation meets opportunity,” Mathey said. “He watched our starters when he was an underclassman; he was always asking pitchers questions. It’s made him mentally tough and not afraid to challenge any hitter.”