CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland College Athletics has named baseball player Mark Mennecke and softball player Mya Brown as the April 2025 Parkland College Athletes of the Month. Mennecke led the baseball team in multiple categories in April, including home runs and RBIs, and Brown earned four wins in the circle for the softball team. 

Mark Mennecke, a sophomore from Naperville, Illinois, played in all 20 games for the Cobras in April. He produced a batting average of .375, a .453 on-base percentage and a .672 slugging percentage in 64 plate appearances. He recorded 24 hits and 16 RBI, totaling 10 extra-base hits, including five doubles and four home runs. Defensively, the Neuqua Valley High School alum produced a .970 fielding percentage. 

"Mark has been a mainstay in the leadoff spot of our line up," Parkland head coach Zack Pych said. "He's an extremely tough out for opposing pitchers and does a great job setting the tone for our offense. He's the ultimate competitor and a great teammate. In the month of April he is leading our team in hits, 2Bs, HRs, RBIs, and runs." 

"A special congratulations to Mark, who has recently made his commitment to continue his college playing career at Western Michigan University," Pych added. "I'm excited to see Mark continue to produce down the stretch as we head into postseason play." 

The Parkland baseball team (28-17) has two doubleheaders remaining before the Region 24 Tournament.

AlWood High School alum Mya Brown appeared in nine games as a pitcher in the month of April, throwing 49.2 innings. The freshman had a 2.10 ERA and a record of 5-2. Brown recorded a 3.3 WHIP--allowing 45 hits and 17 walks. She also struck out 43 batters in the month of April. The pitcher and outfielder produced a .889 fielding percentage. Brown leads the team in the circle this season with 122 innings pitched and 15 wins. 

"As the weather has warmed up, so has Mya," Parkland head coach Lenny Sementi said about the freshman. "She has been very strong for us in the circle!"

The Parkland softball team has concluded their regular season, finishing with an overall record of 34-14, and go into the Region 24 Tournament as the #1 seed.