Earning a berth to PGF was a pivotal moment for Texas Bombers Gold Burgess HTX. Having gone through several iterations over the years, they originally started out in 2012 as Texas Chaos coached by Mario Valdez and Terry Spencer. In 2016, they were one of the first teams to join the Hotshots organization and were known as Diamond Sports Hotshots South. In 2017, they joined Impact Gold as Impact Gold Spencer. 

When Terry Spencer stepped down James Burgess took the team over as Impact Gold Burgess. It was at this time, they made the decision to join the Texas Bombers Organization and are now known as Texas Bombers Gold HTX Burgess.

Burgess gives us the backstory on the team along with a detailed breakdown of his Texas Bombers team.

Based out of Houston, Texas, Bomber Burgess currently lists players from Houston and the surrounding areas (Austin, New Braunfels, Huntsville, College Station, etc.) 

The purpose of creating this team was to provide an avenue for a group of girls looking to pursue something more than just league ball. As they began to travel and play in competitive tournaments, they realized that we had a talented group that could compete on a national level. 

Over the last few years, Bombers Burgess continued to blaze a trail of success.

• 2018 FloSoftball Fab 50 rank #11
• 2018 Diamond9 6-0
• 2018 World Fastpitch Championships 9th
• 2018 Sparkler Power Pool 13th
• 2017 PGF (as Impact Gold Spencer) 5th
• 2016 Sparkler Jr.(as Hotshots South) 2nd

 “One of the things that make our organization unique is our organization leader Scott Smith and his vision and commitment to honor fallen soldiers through softball,” Burgess said. “Whether it’s honoring them through jerseys or the 4 the Heroes All-Star game, Scott and his crew are committed to honoring those that have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.” The Bombers has grown to over 70 teams nationwide.

"I played college baseball at Tulane University and was fortunate to be on a team that played in the 2001 College World Series,” Burgess said. “Watching our coaches prepare us for that, in my opinion, has a lot of similarities on what it takes to be successful in softball. I also spent a couple of years coaching with Terry Spencer and Mario Valdez which was a big help.”

“My primary focus is that the ladies are able to use this game as a catalyst to help them get ahead in life,” Burgess explained. “If you have talent, show up and work hard, there are so many opportunities made available to you through this game.”

The strength of our team is definitely their offensive balance. “We can beat you with the long ball, or small ball you to death,” Burgess said.

The Bombers commitment to evolving with the technology in the game has been a key differentiator. They were one of the first softball organizations to utilize Blast Motion sensors for all of the Gold level players. The Bombers are also one of the first organizations with player performance labs where they can analyze all data electronically to further player development. The Texas Bombers pride themselves on providing the necessary tools and resources to make their players successful.

Texas Bombers Gold Burgess HTX

Kayden Henry, OF | 2023
Henry is a four-sport star (volleyball, basketball, softball, track) and a five-tool player on the diamond. She has been destroying defenses for the last four years and looks to continue that trend this summer. Primarily a corner/outfielder on her TX Bombers Burgess team, Henry possesses elite speed with gap to gap range and projects to be a centerfielder at the next level. To add to speed, Henry displays substantial arm strength from the outfield. A gifted defender most would say her offense is her true calling. With speed being her most dominant tool, Henry added the long ball to her arsenal of weapons this fall with knocking three home runs.
Amiah Burgess, OF | 2023
Burgess is another long lean outfielder from the Lone Star state. A three-sport performer, she is regarded as one of the best outfielders in the Houston area and can make game-changing plays both offensively and defensively. A triple threat, she possesses the ability to hit the ball to the gap with power, drop down the bunt, or a slap in any given at-bat. Burgess has really good size and can play all three outfield positions.
Emma Landauer, P/IF | 2023
Landauer is a newcomer to the Texas Bombers organization. Since joining the Bombers she’s quickly established herself as one of the top hitters in the 2023 class. A dynamic athlete, Landauer has seen time at every position on the field except catcher making her one of the more intriguing players to project at the next level. Though known more as a hitter, she has a fastball that can reach 61-62 mph.
Victoria Valdez, C/CI | 2022
Ranked No. 57 in the 2022 class, Valdez is one of the best two-way players in the country. In addition to being a dominant corner infielder, she is a coach’s dream behind the plate. She can also flat out swing it. Valdez hit .42 with 6 home runs and 91 RBIs for the 2017-2018 season. She has been on campus at multiple SEC and Big 12 schools.
Katie Lott, IF | 2022
Ranked No. 42 in the 2022 class,  Lott is an advanced hitter that many consider one of the best in Texas. Lott possesses gap to gap power and is a very tough out at the plate. Last year she hit .403 with 3 home runs and 101 RBIs. She has spent most of her career playing shortstop and last year she added third base and first base to her resume in an effort to become a more rounded player.
Ellington Whitaker, C/IF | 2022
Ranked No. 83 in the 2022 class, Whitaker (No.83) is one of the top catching prospects in Texas. She has a cannon for an arm and possesses impressive power at the plate. Last year she batted .403 with 10 home runs and 101 RBIs while hitting in the middle of a very potent offense. Still uncommitted, Whitaker has been on visits to multiple schools in the SEC and Big 12.
Bailey Edwards, OF/IF | 2022
Edwards joined Bombers Burgess in 2018 from the GT Shockers organization where she was playing up in 18U. A three-sport athlete, participating in softball, volleyball, and basketball, she has a smooth swing that produces a lot of power and is an above average runner with the ability to steal bases. Edwards will have ample RBI opportunities this summer as she hits in the heart of one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Aiyana Coleman, 1B/P | 2022
Perhaps the biggest addition to Texas Bombers HTX Burgess this season is 6-foot pitcher/infielder Aiyana Coleman. “She has light-tower power,” said one club coach. Coleman can hit the long ball as far and as often as any 2022 player in the country. Coming off a successful freshman High School season where she hit .540 with 13 home runs with 41 RBIs she looks to continue to pick up where she left off in the fall where she hit .457 with 7 home runs, and 34 RBIs. Primarily a first baseman, she’s definitely one to watch this summer.
Seleste Compian, OF | 2022
Compian is a table setter/speed player and slapper sufficient at moving runners and getting on base. She’s always a threat to steal bases. Offensively Compian can slap, bunt, and drive the ball to the gaps. She’s a natural centerfielder and runs down balls in the gaps with ease.
Klarissa “Nike” Martinez, IF | 2022
Martinez is a glovesmith at second base making only three errors last season. A slapper with great hand-eye coordination, she rarely if ever comes off the field. She’s always in the right position and has a knack for making big plays. Her offensive prowess is not to be underestimated. She can hit 1 through 9 in the lineup producing at every spot. She truly is a coach’s dream. She’s selfless and a team-first kind of player. One coach noted, “Give me a team full of Nike’s and I’d be a happy camper.”
Kayla Zaid, IF/OF | 2022
Zaid is in her second year with Texas Bombers Burgess program and she quickly established herself in the leadoff role and is a dangerous weapon in the Bombers HTX Burgess order. Last season, Zaid batted .393 against the top competition in the country. She had 42 RBIs to go along with her 45 stolen bases. Zaid started to gain some collegiate attention after a stellar performance at D9 in the fall.
Shelby Frazier, IF/OF | 2022
Frazier is a multi-sport athlete that oozes athleticism. A star on the basketball court, she also shines on the diamond. Prior to this year, Frazier had primarily been used as an outfielder and has seamlessly transitioned to the infield this season at shortstop. She makes the routine plays and covers plenty of ground with her long frame. An above average runner, she has the ability to take extra bases.
Abby Flores, C/P | 2022
New to the Bombers organization, Flores is a lefty catcher that is a total gamer. Flores is a fantastic receiver with a stellar softball IQ. Her blocking and throwing skills are excellent and she just loves to play ball. On offense, she has an advanced approach to hitting. She’s very patient and when she gets her pitch she barrels it up. Flores provides depth and strength to an already competitive team.
Marlen “Mimi” Sandoval, P/OF | 2022
Sandoval’s ability to attack the strike zone is what sets her apart from her contemporaries in her age group. A true spin pitcher, she has a variety of pitches that she uses to produce a high volume of strikeouts and chasers. As one coach put it, “ Mimi misses a lot of barrels.”
Analisa Soliz, P | 2022
Soliz is your prototypical hard-throwing Texas righty who can touch the low 60s. She throws a heavy ball with a lot of downward bite. An experienced pitcher, she has pitched in a lot of big games for the Bombers this season.
Bella Mitchell, P | 2022
Mitchell is a righty pitcher who can throw in the low 60s. She throws with good spin and accuracy moving the ball vertically with a change of speeds. Mitchell pitches for always competitive Canyon High School (TX) who made it to the playoffs this season.