Coaches

April Parnell

April Parnell is a native of Glendora, CA. In 2020 the Parnell five moved from California to Marvin, North Carolina. April has stayed active her entire life by playing water polo, volleyball, swimming and was a Fitbody Bootcamp Instructor for over five years. April helped coached two Mission softball teams before becoming the Softball Director. She loves to watch the growth of all the girls in the organization. She is married to her amazing husband, David. April and David have three great kids. Brooke and Chloe who are both part of the Mission Softball Organization and their youngest Evan plays baseball.

Leslie Hicks

Leslie grew up in Mount Holly, NC where she played at Stuart W. Cramer HS. Leslie started varsity all four years as a middle infielder. Leslie helped establish a new program at Stuart Cramer by earning All-Conference honors during her 2017 and 2018 seasons. Leslie also played showcase softball for the 18U Lady Magic during high school CIU Team One Player Honor Graduate with BSBA’s in Sports Management and Marketing Leslie has quickly developed a passion for teaching the game she fell in love with as a child. She volunteered as an assistant coach for a 10U travel team during the summer of 2022. Leslie is also an assistant coach at South Point High School in Belmont, NC

Brian McArdle

Coach Brian has coached girls fastpitch softball since 2006 when his twin girls began tee ball. Since then, he has continued to lead or assist coached for consecutive seasons at the recreational level through travel ball. While most of his training has come from fellow coaches, he brings his positive approach to the field to best develop the players. He enjoys doing DIY projects in his free time. He joined the Mission organization in 2023.

Kevin Peterson

Coach K has coached girls fastpitch softball since 2006 at every level through HS/18U, as well as collegiate recruiting and training clinics. Formerly an assistant HS baseball coach and years coaching Little League, he is an active member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) where he has received many hours of formal NFCA Coaches College training from top National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), USA National Team, and NCAA fastpitch softball coaches. He continues to study and attend classes to attain the NFCA 4-Star Master Coach certification. In addition, Coach K has participated in USA/ASA and NFCA conventions and over 30 various fastpitch softball national coaching clinics. He is also USA Baseball & USA ACE IV certified, and a member of the American Coaching Academy, NFHS, MLBPAA, and a PCA Positive Goal Coach.

Kevin Wisecarver

Kevin is a native of Virginia where he was a VHSL All-State baseball performer before attending Virginia Tech. Since his move to Charlotte, he has combined for 20+ seasons of coaching youth sports at the recreational & competitive level. In his 4th season with Mission, he will be working with our newly rising 16U team, which is comprised of athletes from many of the area’s most prominent high school programs.

Amber Parker

Amber attended High School locally at Parkwood High School in Monroe, NC. Graduating in 2019. She was a four year starter and part of the 2017 softball state Championship team. In 2019 Amber became the Parkwood High School Women’s Wrestling State Champion . Amber attended Western Carolina University from 2019-2023 where she was a Scholarship Athlete. In 2023, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice .

David Parnell

David is a native of Southern California. In 2020, David, his wife, and three children relocated to Marvin, NC. Growing up, David was a multi-sport athlete playing baseball and football. David began coaching girls fastpitch softball in 2015, both recreational softball and competitive travel softball. David focuses on player development and growth, a team first mentality, and winning.