Clay Ardeeser

Head Softball Coach at Southern Wesleyan University, Grayson and GCSU ⚾️ alum, Former Pro Baseball Player

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

Recruits go where you are wanted and needed! Never get strong armed or feel pressured. My college made me make a decision within 1 week of the offer and I was so scared that I would lose the offer, so I committed. Be transparent and make the best choice.

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@SoftballTdb I mean I know it’s win or go home but still. If you win, who you got for the next games. You got to at least have 1 more arm that is pretty talented that you can trust.

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

What are these coaches doing. Pitcher throwing 200 pitches. The other team is just flipping back and forth like a bad showcase. That’s all you got?!?!?!?! You are UCLA and Texas Tech and that’s all you got? Nobody has pitched good it’s 7-6 and I wonder why, wearing folk out.

[Rachel Coleman @_coachrachel]

I cannot imagine being a college coach right now. Kids and parents can say whatever they want in an attempt to get coaches fired or in trouble, often with little to no consequences, while coaches are rarely allowed to publicly defend themselves.

As a former college coach, I’ve been in their shoes, and I genuinely feel for them.

I’m not saying every coach is right, and I’m not saying every player or parent is wrong. I’m simply saying there are always two sides to a story, and the internet usually only hears one of them.

I’m glad Karen’s name was cleared and that this situation brought attention to what is really happening in college sports today.

This is exactly why college coaches recruit character, family values, and parents just as much as they recruit athletic talent.

[Sean Strickland @Coach__Strick]

Perfect example of why I call handshake lines fake sportsmanship, and that your teams play should show the sportsmanship. Respect the game the way you play it🤝

Shake a hand if you want to shake it…fake handshakes are not a sign of respect

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@KSandberg23 I have no idea what it is, but without fail that is put on the speakers for bp and on our bus away trips every season.

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

Softball teams obsession with this song runs so deep I think they are literally keeping this song relevant for this many years. I didn’t even know that actual people liked this song until I coached softball. But boy oh boy does a team full of 18-22 year old softballers LOVE it 😂

[Tyler Bratton, M.S. @MrCoachTbratt]

This bus is lit 🔥!!!!

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@RickyRickston I’m telling you right now that it has nothing to do with that. Those girls listen to that song daily. You just don’t understand

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@jazzvesely That’s why I can’t even blame some players now for the way they act. Just go look at mom and pops wanting to fight people at a literal game, that they have zero involvement in. If those type of parents were my parents I would be thoroughly embarrassed.

[ＪＥＮ ᴍᴄ ☀️ @kibn08]

Unpopular opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️

Maybe the old post covid no handshake at end of the game rule wasn’t a bad thing

Other ways to show sportsmanship besides saying good game and high-fiving someone that just ended your season

After a series like that everyone needs a lil minute ☝🏽

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

Almost a 5.00 ERA, pitching for a team that is 30-28 with a 9-21 record in the conference 😂. It just makes you laugh at how some of these athletes act. If you got a sub 2.00 and/or play for a top team in the league, by all means talk your ish, otherwise shutttttttttt uppppppppp.

[Dan Clark @DanClarkSports]

Every MLB team should avoid drafting college guys who behave like this - they are destined to become a headache.

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@AJSimcox Makes zero sense to me

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

@_coachrachel That’s a ball

[Conference Carolinas @ConfCarolinas]

Congrats to @SWUWarriors capturing their sixth Conference Carolinas Allan Sharp Award!

🔗: https://t.co/6lqXKWGoLS

#LeadingTheWay

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

What has happened to some of these players. Guy has a 4.96 ERA and is cussing and talking trash to the other team. You know how stupid that looks haha. For the hitters on the other team they love to see you on the bump big fella. Cornball 😂

[Rob Friedman @PitchingNinja]

The Karma Police got Connor Fennell. 🔊🚨

[Anabella Lupinacci @alupinacci2027]

So honored to be named @GreerNewsSports Softball Player of the Year! It was a great night celebrating.
@ohana_duck @GreerNewsSports @SoftballSwu @dees_44

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

Probably should have had some more Conference Carolinas teams in the regionals huh?

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

All of these players and many more on our team work to get these results. THIS is development. Go to places that allow you this room of growth. It’s a 50/50 relationship between coaches and players in development. Do your 50 as a player and make sure your coach is doing their 50.

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

I love seeing the development of our players each year. A lot of players don’t give themselves the proper time to get developed at a place. Stay and continue working with your coaches who YOU decided to play for and who know YOU as a player. I wanted to highlight some of ours:

[Clay Ardeeser @dees_44]

Bailey Throckmorton SO

2025 Stats
4.67 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 14 BB, 5 HR, .283 BAA

2026 Stats
2.13 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 10 BB, 0 HR, .263 BAA

Big jump in numbers and steadily improving.