AVON - Roster spots had opened up at some colleges while there was also the potential of going to Wake Forest as a preferred walk-on.

But then Miami of Ohio came into the picture for Zach Maxey.

“I contacted Miami after coach (Matt) Rosinski talked to them. He went there,” the recent St. Edward graduate related. “The coaches at Miami were interested and they had a good plan for me.”

With the first of June approaching, Maxey had to make up his mind.

“The decision came down to the buzzer,” Maxey noted. “I needed to send my deposit into school by June 1.”

Not only did the second-rated uncommitted pitcher in this past school year’s senior class decide on the Mid-American Conference school, but a new NCAA ruling helped the cause.

“At first I was going to grayshirt with an opportunity to wait a year,” Maxey explained. “But then they extended the roster (size) so I’ll be on right away. It’s nice to know I’ll be able to compete to play right off the bat. A year developing would have been nice, too, but now I can fight for a spot right when I get on campus.”

The 6-2 185-pounder, who has added 20 pounds in the last year, believes there is a lot he can provide the Miami program.

“They like that I throw strikes and also that I have a lot of room to add velocity,” related Maxey, who has topped out at 88 on the radar. “Since I’ve been playing as a two-way the past three years, I haven’t logged a lot of innings so that’s a plus, too.”

Admittedly, there is a lot of relief with college set to start in less than two months.

“There was definitely some stress knowing the deadline was June 1 and it was late May,” Maxey reflected. “Luckily they came in with an offer for a spot. Now I can play baseball again and not worry about where I’m going. It’s been like that for three years and this feels great. Now I can focus on my improvement and helping the team win.”

Maxey has an idea where he wants to be when it comes to his immediate future.

“Before I get to school I want to get to 200 pounds,” Maxey pointed out. “I also want to improve my strength and I’m working on improving my velocity.”

There is more in the works for the 46th-rated 2020 in Ohio.

“My fastball and change are good, but I need to work on a third pitch and that’s the curveball,” Maxey noted.

Missing out on senior year, while uncommitted, was a challenge.

“I worked out with my dad staying in shape and conditioning,” Maxey explained. “It was hard to make a plan and make a throwing program around not knowing if we were going to have a season and then if there was going to be a summer season.

“I didn’t throw too many pens, but I’m back on the mound now knowing that there is a summer season. I’m pitching a few times with Release before (Miami) incoming freshmen are shut down July 4.”

Maxey looks forward to contributing once arriving at Miami.

“I’ll do whatever I’m asked to do, relieve or start,” Maxey said. “The biggest thing with pitching is to throw strikes and I can go right in and do that. If there’s anywhere that I’m needed on the field, I’ll do that, too.

“They’re getting someone who’s always working hard in the weight room and improving his game,” Maxey added. “I’m always trying to work on my game while also helping the team whenever I can.”

The opportunity to play college baseball at the Division I level brings a sense of gratification as well.

“It’s nice to know I’ll be playing at the highest level and competing with the best there is,” noted Maxey, who carries a 3.96 GPA and is looking at a major of business/analytics. “Miami is a good school and a good fit for me. It’s very good academically, it’s not too far away from home and I know a lot of people there.

“They also have great facilities and a great coaching staff. It’s just a great baseball program in general.”