Firecrackers HTX Elite

Heck of a fight on Day 3 in Philly! 🥎🔥So incredibly proud of our 7 FCHTXElite girls for putting it all on the line in the championship game at the Jennie Finch Classic. Heads high for the Astros Youth Academy in partnership with MLB and the actual Houston Astros.

It was an incredible tournament run to close out an unforgettable week against elite national competition!

Next stop: College Station this week 🧨

📸 Left to Right:
• Stephanie Smith (Dulles High School)
• Amiyah Lee (Hightower High School)
• Natalie Russo (Cypress Lakes High School)
• Xianne Bettis (Spring High School)
• Maya Hanks (Almeta Crawford High School)
• Makala Brown (Cypress Springs High School)
• Kennedy Gray (Ridge Point High School)

JFC GameChanger Links FOLLOW THE 2026 JENNIE FINCH CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: Tournament Bracket FOLLOW YOUR TEAM: Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy JFC 18U Compton Youth Academy JFC 18U Houston Astros Youth Academy JFC 18U Kansas City Royals Youth Academy JFC 18U New Orleans Youth Academy JFC 18U Philadelphia Phillie...

Days 2 & 3 of the 2026 Jenny Finch Classic were big ones for ! 🥎🔥 The Astros outscored the competition 24-8 and punched their ticket to Monday’s Championship Game.

Championship bound! 🏆🥎

Congratulations to the Houston Astros Youth Academy on advancing to tomorrow’s championship game of the 2026 Jennie Finch Classic! After a great weekend of competition against some of the nation’s top MLB Youth Academy programs, the girls have earned the opportunity to play for the title.

We’re incredibly proud of our FC girls and wish the entire Astros YA team the best of luck tomorrow. Go finish the job! 🧨🥎

🏆🥎

🥎 Congratulations to FC 1B/P Natalie Russo on going yard today at Penn Park! Natalie launched a laser into the left-field power alley while competing with her Houston Astros Youth Academy team at the Jennie Finch Classic against the Washington Nationals.

The Astros earned a 6-2 victory to remain undefeated in the tournament and will continue their winners bracket run tomorrow morning against the Cincinnati Reds.

Keep swinging it, Natalie! 💥🔥🥎

Good luck to our FC girls — Natalie Russo, Makala Brown, Amiyah Lee, Stephanie Smith, Maya Hanks, Kennedy Gray, and Xianne Bettis — who were selected to compete in the annual Jennie Finch Classic during MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia!

This is a tremendous opportunity to compete alongside some of the top players from across the country. If you’re watching the Home Run Derby, keep an eye on the field — you may even spot some of our girls sh****ng fly balls for the MLB stars.

We are incredibly proud of each of them and wish them the best of luck this week! 🧨🥎

Before anyone asks, yes, a few extra players made their way into the photo! 😆 The plan was to get a picture of just our FC girls, but once others started gathering, I didn’t have the heart to ask anyone to step aside. We’re happy to celebrate all of the girls getting this opportunity.

Congratulations to our own Bayleigh Burris on being named All-State once again! 🥎🥎

What makes this achievement even more impressive is that she earned All-State honors at two different North Carolina schools during her high school career. That level of consistency and excellence is rare.

We are proud to have Bayleigh represent the Firecrackers HTX Elite family and can’t wait to watch this future Seton Hall Pirate continue her success at the next level. 🏴‍☠️

But first… senior year loading. ⏳🧨❤️

🏆 THE CHAMPS ARE HERE! 🏆

Our Firecrackers HTX Elite team finished the Under the Radar Showcase Championship weekend UNDEFEATED! 💥🥎

This group battled, competed, and represented the Firecrackers family with pride from the first pitch to the last out. Their hard work, teamwork, and determination paid off as they brought home the championship 🏆

Tournament Team Stats
🥎 Team Batting Average: .416
🔥 Team ERA: 0.60

A huge thank you to our players, families, and supporters who continue to make this journey possible. We couldn’t be prouder of these young ladies and the way they compete every time they step on the field.

Under the Radar Showcase Champions
✅ Undefeated
✅ Champions

🧨❤️