Inexperience can have some immediate effects, and it can also have some long-range effects.

Dan Lopez is getting a chance to see both ends of that spectrum.

An assistant coach with Catasauqua’s varsity team this past spring, Lopez saw how inexperience played a huge role in the Rough Riders’ 3-17 season that was plagued with errors, mistakes, and miscues.

This summer, Lopez is beginning to see how their past inexperience is starting to pay some dividends in his first season as the head coach of the Catasauqua Connie Mack team. Through their first three games, the Roughies were 1-1-1.

The Roughies opened with an 11-0 loss to perennial power South Parkland, but they came back with a 6-6 tie against Hellertown and then posted a convincing 14-6 victory over Lower Macungie.

Lopez stated that there are five varsity players on the team and three incoming freshmen on the 13-player roster. He also had liked what he has seen so far.

Lopez certainly knows about winning. He was part of a core group that brought Catasauqua and District 11 its last state baseball title in 1997.

“We can see improvement every game,“ stressed Lopez. “They are working together and picking each other up. There is a good attitude here. We have a number of guys here who are playing about two-thirds of the year.

“I believe it will help.”

Lopez has turned to Alex Bolmer to handle the bulk of the pitching duties in the early going. Bolmer has thrown 10.1 innings with a 0-0 record and a 0.70 ERA and seven strikeouts.

Along with Bolmer, Reece Lopez (0-1), Luis Collazo, Joe Conway, and Ayden Getz (1-0) all have logged innings.

In the field, Conway is at first base, Collazo mans second, Lopez is at short, and Asael Gonzalez handles third. Evan Reed, Yandel Martinez, and Steel Martell will all share the catching duties.

In the outfield, Gavin Hacker will be in center, Marcos Gonzales has been in right, and Cody Roth has seen time in left. Getz and Chase Jarrah will also be in the mix.

As of last week, Conway leads the team with a .571 average with a pair of RBIs, and Getz and Marcos Gonzales are both at .500. Hacker is hitting .375 and Collazo has a .333 average. Hacker led the team with four RBIs.

Lopez is happy with his team’s current lineup.

“We feel good right now with every position,” noted Lopez. “We like where we have people right now, and we have some depth. We can play a number of guys at different positions, and we believe we have enough guys who can pitch. We need to be more aggressive on the bases, but guys are getting more comfortable at the plate.”

With each passing game, Lopez is confident his team will continue to grow. He is assisted by Joe Conway, Colin Hawk, Kyle Martell, and Jen Conway.

“They’re young, but they’re getting better,” added Lopez. “Most of this group will be together for the next four years.”