Catasauqua first-year head softball coach Erika Proctor is quickly learning how to make the most out of any situation.

Proctor began this season with nine players, and she recently gained a 10th player. The Rough Riders opened the season with an 18-0 loss to perennial Colonial League power Southern Lehigh, and they had to postpone another game.

The Roughies are coming off a 11-11 season in which they advanced to the second round of districts. Delaney Troxell had been a dominant pitcher for the past four seasons, and she was one of six seniors who graduated last May.

So, Proctor, a former Roughie standout and assistant coach in the program, knew she had her work cut out for her. Juniors pitcher Mikalya Bird and catcher Briana Deschaine are two holdovers from last year, but the remaining cast is relatively inexperienced.

Still, Proctor has maintained a positive outlook and has maneuvered when needed.

“It is going well,” said Proctor. “We got our first game under our belt, so the girls know what to expect going forward and what we need to work on. We did recruit another player, so we have 10 players now.

“The biggest adjustment is going from having depth to not having it. Trying to get a sense of the players’ strengths and knowing I can’t go to the bench to sub out, I have rework the whole field to adjust.”

Proctor sees junior Madison Monberger making strides in her first year at shortstop.

“Madison Monberger is coming along very well, making the transition from outfield to shortstop,” said the head coach. “Her quick and strong throws are what we need to hold down our infield defense.”

Proctor likes the direction of the middle school program as a direct pipeline to the varsity outlet. The Roughies will be in action this week against Notre Dame

“The middle school program has depth with a lot of new players coming out this year,”said Proctor. “We are looking for them to continue to the program to help boost our numbers on the coming years for our varsity program.”