In his first year at the helm of the Catasauqua Connie Mack program, Kyle Martell plans to be patient.

Heading into this week, the Rough Riders were 1-1, edging Coplay, 3-2, and dropping a 7-2 decision to Northern Lehigh.

“I believe it will take a handful of games for those kids to knock the rust off and get the bats going,” said Martell. “The younger 8th graders will certainly see some better pitching than they have probably seen.”

Returning players for the Roughies this summer are sophomores pitcher Alex Bolmer, infielder/outfielder Asael Gonzalez, infielder/outfielder Chase Jarrah, pitcher/infielder Steel Martell, infielder/outfielder Eli Tomecek, catcher/pitcher Joey Conway, and freshman infielder/outfielder Ayden Getz.

Newcomers are eighth-graders: outfielder/pitcher Bentley Weaver, outfielder Blake Reed, outfielder Jared Abraham, infielder/outfielder Matthew Surita, catcher/pitcher Max Bergman, infielder/outfielder Rowan Metzgar, and infielder/pitcher Trevor Hartzell.

Martell believes his club has overcome some early obstacles.

“We struggled with numbers initially for this season, but currently have 14 kids,” said Martell. “We have five sophomores, two freshmen, and seven eighth-graders who played junior high ball. You’d be hard pressed to find seven eighth grade kids on any of the rosters in the league.”

Martell will look to his older players to lay some groundwork.

“Obviously, we are going to more than likely rely on the older kids to be leaders, but I believe keeping these kids together and playing for Catty will benefit these kids in high school,” added Martell. “Most of the sophomores haven’t seen a lot of at bats or playing time - mainly due to the shortage of players and the absence of a JV team this past high school season.”

Martell, a former player at Neshaminy High School, is grateful for assistant Joey Conway, Toby Hunter, Colin Hawk, and Hunter Reitz.

“I’m fortunate enough to have Joey Conway and Toby Weaver that I have coached with for the past several years,” said Martell. “Colin Hawk who is the current junior high coach and this is our second year coaching Connie Mack together. Hunter Reitz has joined us, he’s a 2024 Catty grad and assisted Varsity this past season and is enthusiastic about coaching.”

Martell highlighted the performance of Bolmer, who recorded 13 strikeouts, allowed one run and three hits over 5.2 innings in their opener.

“Alex pitched an absolute gem,” said Martell. “We dropped the second game. Simply put, they hit in key situations and we did not. We left quite a few stranded.”

Martell is looking forward to the remainder of the season.

“We are certainly young and lack a lot of experience,” stated Martell. “Our goal this season is to compete, get back to basic fundamentals, and play the game like it’s supposed to be played. We will rely on the older kids, but the younger kids will get their share of opportunities.

“I believe this is a great group of kids, regardless of how many W’s we end up with in the end. It should be fun.”