Margaretta's Zahel likes role as Toledo's closer

When Matt Zahel left the Margaretta program four years ago for the University of Toledo, he was the proverbial workhorse pitching ace for the Polar Bears.

It was in the spring of 2007, his final season at Margaretta, that Zahel finished 7-3 with a 1.30 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 63 innings of work. The banner season garnered second-team All-Ohio honors in Division III.

As a junior in 2006, Zahel pitched nine complete games while going 6-4 with a 2.20 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 61 innings of work.

However, unlike the 2007 season, Zahel didn't see his 63rd inning for the Rockets until last season, his third year in the program.

"As soon as the season came about that first year (2008), I kind of worked myself into that closer rotation," Zahel said. "And ever since then, I've been in that spot. It's gone well, I've gotten a lot of opportunities to succeed here and I'm thankful."

Things have indeed gone well for Zahel at the back end of the Rockets' bullpen. His nine saves in 2009 are second all-time in a single season at Toledo. It's a mark Zahel is already about to pass with nearly two months left in the season as he entered today's game with eight saves in 2011. The single-season record is 12.

"It's a big adjustment and a different mentality," Zahel said of trying to close games. "As a closer, you have to go in there and throw strikes, and make sure you give it your all to get those three outs. It's a little different than going six or seven innings."

A huge mental barrier also goes with the closer position. Blowing the lead -- and the game -- for your team can eat a closer up mentally if he lets it happen.

"When it happens, you are a little disappointed to say the least," Zahel said. "But you know you have the chance to come in that next day. It's very important to just forget about it when that day is over.

"The team depends on you to go back out there and close it out the next day. It's a vicious cycle, which means you better forget about it when it does go bad."

The Rockets are off to a 13-15 start, including a 4-2 mark in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo was picked to be a top contender in the MAC, but have lost seven one-run games this season. However, the team appears to have righted the ship as it enters today's game versus Buffalo on a six-game winning streak.

"We're really close," Zahel said. "We've lost so many one-run games. When we can figure out how to get on top of those and get over that hump, I think we can be very good. It comes down to winning those close games."

When Zahel visited Kent State from March 25-27 and picked up the save in the team's only win of the series, he was on the field with five other players from the area. It was also like that in the previous two seasons when the Rockets played rival Bowling Green, it also featured six area players total for both teams.

"I don't know how it happens with all of us guys, but I know it's been fun," said Zahel, also an alum of the Sandusky American Legion Post 83 baseball team. "It's great coming here and seeing all these guys. The big thing is, everyone has been successful.

"Not only is everyone getting opportunties, we all seem to be taking advantage of them. It's been fun to see and fun to play against them for four years. We're all friends and we get to talk quite a bit, but once the game starts it's very competitive."

As his senior season winds down, Zahel won't completely shoot down the idea of continuing his baseball career, but also has other options lined up.

"It's up in the air right now, but I'm getting my degree in education, and I'll be very happy with that," he said. "Maybe I can get into coaching or something like that. It would be something I'd really like to do.

"If baseball doesn't keep going, I'm looking forward towards that opportunity."