Ridge's J.B. Kole Pitches in NJSBCA All-Star Game

Ridge High School’s J.B. Kole ended his high school baseball career on Wednesday evening playing in the 34th New Jersey Scholastic Baseball Coaches All-Star Game held at Diamond Nation in Flemington. The game brings together 100 of what are considered the top senior players in New Jersey from each of the four sections in the state.

The Villanova-bound Kole was the starting pitcher for the Central Team and pitched the first two innings. He allowed one run, and was the winning pitcher, as his teammates put up six runs in the second on their way to clinching a 19-7 win over the Northeast team.

The last Ridge baseball player to be part of the All-Star lineup was Zach O'Connor-Robol in 2007, said Coach Tom Blackwell.

While pitching in the all star game was a great experience, Kole has a different highlight for his senior year.

“Pitching those two complete games in the County Tournament in Patriots Stadium and us winning was definitely what I’ll remember most from this season.”

The tournament in May, with Kole on the mound.

Kole said he looked at a number of schools including Holy Cross, Seton Hall and St. John's.

“I was looking for a medium size school that wasn’t too far away and Villanova’s a great school," he said. "They also have good sports teams besides baseball. Their basketball team is pretty good, too."

Kole also was captain of the Ridge basketball team.

Kole, who started in some of the Red Devil's biggest games this year, will have to compete for a job as a starter next year.

“Next year they [Villanova] have four seniors who were starters this year so freshman year it will be tough to break in, but after they graduate those spots will open up and then I hope to start regularly," he said.

If Kole has any problems adjusting to college baseball he can always just call home for some advice.

“My dad pitched in college for Wake Forest," he said. "He’s been helping me with things like my windup but also his having been there is a big help. He knows you can’t always be perfect, like today I had one bad pitch, a hanging curve that got hit out of the park.”