Holy Cross softball is stronger with unusual Amherst array

Holy Cross has benefited from players crossing the James River to play softball for the Gaels. This year Holy Cross is leaning heavily on three Amherst County girls to lead them to a state title.

Taylor Thomas and Layney and Alex Sandifer are the latest to make the trip. Thomas is a senior second baseman and is a returning all-state player, and Sandifer is a junior left fielder. Taylor and Layney were a part of the Gaels 2007 VIS Division III team that won a state championship. Last year the pair helped Holy Cross to a third-place finish in the state tournament.

“They have an excellent program over there at Amherst, but Taylor wanted a smaller school size and (Holy Cross) has a rich tradition in academics and athletics,” said Jeff Thomas, Taylor’s father and Gaels assistant coach. “She won two state titles in basketball and a state title in softball.”

“It’s a small school and the classrooms are small and that’s basically why we started here,” said Darrell Sandifer, Layney and Alex’s father and Holy Cross head coach.

And this year they are primed for another deep run in the state tournament despite stumbling to a 3-2 record out of the gate.

“I think we have a very good team and will battle for the BRC and state titles,” Darrell Sandifer said.

The teammates have fond memories of that 2007 state championship season.

“It was wonderful,” Taylor said. “We had a dream team and it was like it almost didn’t happen. It was great.”

“I just remember all taking picture after the game and wondering if it was really real,” Layney said.

Layney and Alex Sandifer and Taylor Thomas aren’t the only players crossing the James River to play for Gaels. Fraternal twins, Amanda and Samantha Thacker are from Nelson County and have played for Holy Cross since that 2007 season. Amanda is the starting catcher and Samantha is a third baseman and pitcher

“We were big rivals starting off in Dixie Youth,” Taylor said. “But, we learned to gel and now we are like one big family.”

“We never used to like each other and now we just click and that’s fun,” Samantha said.

“We were all rivals and it’s really weird now, but it is definitely fun,” Layney said.

All of the Gaels players benefit from the closeness of Holy Cross’ coaches and fathers — Sandifer, Tommy Thacker and Thomas. The coaches have been coaching their daughters for as long as their daughters have been playing softball. They used to coach against each other but now are united as their children.

“I’ve really enjoyed (getting to coach Taylor) and see her grow into young woman,” Jeff Thomas said. “And, getting to be being around the other kids, and watch all the girls grow and mature, it has been a blessing.”

“It’s been great,” Tommy Thacker said. “It’s really been a blessing. I’ve been around most of these girls for the last 15 years. I just really enjoy coaching and being out here. I think we have a chance to compete for a Blue Ridge Conference title and a state title.”

“I really like getting out coaching the kids and just getting to be with the kids,” Darrell said.

Everyone involved is enjoying the chance to either coach a child or play for their father.

“He’s been my coach ever since I started playing,” Taylor said. “He’s taught me everything I know and it has been great to have that kind of support around on the field. It’s been a lot of fun playing with him.”

“I’ve been playing for him since I was 4,” Layney said. “It has its good moments and bad moments. I know he will always support me but I think he’s harder on me sometimes.”

Layney also has had the experience of playing basketball for her older sister, Dara, while at Holy Cross. Dara also went to Holy Cross and went on to star at Lynchburg College in both softball and volleyball. She now attends graduate school and is as an assistant volleyball coach for the Hornets.

“I would prefer to play for my dad because me and my sister fight a lot sometimes but we get along really well of the court,” Layney said. “But, I still love playing for her too.”

Both Thomas and Sandifer have the same goal for this season, a state championship.

“I want to win another state championship,” Thomas said. “If we keep building on and learning from each game I thank a state championship is in our future.”

Taylor is also preparing for college though she hasn’t decided where she will be attending. She has been accepted at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Roanoke College.

“Softball is a huge part of my life,” Taylor said. “I have to decide if I want to go D-III or try to walk on at a Division I school.”