RAYNHAM, Ma. - The Future Games proved to be invaluable for Jake Bollin, who recently committed to Villanova after looks from a large group of schools in the northeast.

“Villanova started talking to me right after the Future Games,” Bollin said in reference to the August event held this summer in Pennsylvania. “That was a huge thing helping me out with everything that PBR has done. I ended up checking out the school and I loved it. I saw myself going there four years and excelling at baseball and in the classroom.”

The decision came down to Villanova and Lehigh for the Noble & Greenough junior, with Holy Cross, William & Mary, Fordham, Elon and “a few Ivys” others under consideration.

“They play good competition and it looks like they’re improving, they had a big win against Arizona State this year,” Bollin reasoned about his decision to make a commitment with Villanova. “I also really liked the coaches.”

A strong-hitting catcher can be hard to find, but Bollin fills that attribute with additional traits of desire as well.

“They like my bat,” Bollin explained about what attracted Villanova. “They said they thought I could come in and catch and have a chance to compete right away. They also mentioned that my speed (6.63 time in the 60) was something they like. Obviously I’m a catcher, but they’re not opposed to getting my bat in the lineup by trying me at other places.”

Recent improvement has come behind the plate for the fourth-ranked 2022 catcher in New England.

“I’ve definitely worked on my receiving, that’s the biggest area I’ve improved at,” Bollin noted. “I’m also getting stronger and trying to get faster.”

More work lies ahead for the 6-0 205-pound 17-year-old.

“Defensively, catching is definitely what I want to improve upon the most but I really want to work on making myself better overall, not just have one strength,” Bollin explained. “Getting stronger, faster ... everything is important to be able to make an impact there.”

The idea of playing college baseball came to Bollin freshman year.

“That’s really when I got interested,” Bollin reflected. “I played football but realized what I wanted to do was play college baseball and I needed to start working toward it. I’m 100 percent baseball now. I tried hard to get my name out there doing PBR showcases the most.

“My coaches also did everything they could do to help in the process. My high school coach, Rob Murray, did everything he could for me 24-7 and my Nikona coach, Dan Sullivan, has been there for me no matter what. Both really helped with my recruitment and both supported my decision.”

Admittedly, the process had its ups and downs.

“It was good but kind of stressful with a lot of calls,” the 22nd-rated New England junior said. “It was different than I thought, but it got a lot better once Sept. 1 got there. Really it was a cool experience. It helped me learn to talk with coaches better, to open up and to be more personable on the phone.”

Family has also played a big part in his baseball journey.

“They’ve been nothing but supported me since day one,” Bollin related. “My other coaches also helped me and my teammates have been amazing pushing me no matter what.”

That includes during the trying time of no spring season.

“It was definitely hard not to play but I feel my coaches did a great job giving me everything I needed to do to make up for the games lost,” Bollin explained.

Engineering and business are potential majors for Bollin, a 3.4 student who enjoys the job of being a catcher.

“I played a little third base my freshman year but I’m a catcher 99 percent of the innings,” Bollin noted. “I’ve always done it. I like that I can see the whole field, it’s cool calling the pitches and I like being involved in every play.”

Bollin also likes the idea of being a college commit.

“I’m super excited ... I’m beyond excited,” Bollin said about his commitment to the Big East Conference school. “I’m happy everything is over but I understand there’s a lot of work to still put in. I’m all into Villanova now.”