Fostering Athletic Excellence
Empowering young athletes through skill development, team culture, and competitive play.
Premier Softball Matthews proudly partners with the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association (MARA). Together, we create pathways for young athletes to thrive in competitive softball. This partnership unites MARA’s community-focused approach with Premier Softball’s elite training and competition. We empower players to build skills, confidence, and character, representing Matthews at top levels of travel softball.
Our Community
Premier Softball has built on the longstanding MARA legacy, enhancing youth sports in Matthews since 1956. This partnership brings new competitive opportunities to athletes while upholding MARA’s values of community and development, creating a vibrant, supportive environment for players to excel.
Meet Our Coaches
Explore our team of expert coaches dedicated to nurturing young athletes with skill and passion.
Bobby Young
Head Coach – Mustangs
Brad Rippetoe
Head Coach – Crush
David Heath
Head Coach – Missfits
Becky Smith
Head Coach – Chaos
Joe Gardner
Assistant Coach
Allen Gunn
Assistant Coach
Mike Lane
Assistant Coach
Jeff Miller
Assistant Coach/Leadership Guide
Remy Wallace
Assistant Coach
Nathan Linkous
Assistant Coach
Rob Johnson
Assistant Coach/Strength Training
Lynnie Heath
Assistant Coach
Front Office
This team is dedicated to supporting Premier Softball’s mission, handling logistics, team coordination, and player development with professionalism and care.
Justin Vandergrift
President
Lauren Benjamin
Executive Director – MARA Affiliate
Alyx Dill
Program Coordinator
Danielle Danner
Strategic Advisor – Recruitment
Chris Danner
Strategic Advisor
Kate Planow
Leadership & Strategy
David Bunkley
Business Consultant
Marissa Gunn
Uniform Consultant
Empower Athletes, Cultivate Success – Support Us Today
Take a swing today and shape the future of young athletes. By supporting Premier Softball Matthews, you become a mentor for growth and a source of inspiration. Let’s build a community where every player thrives and discovers their passion for the game.