Kinley Rasmus made Little League World Series history in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, tying all-time tournament records for strikeouts by a girl and tying the all-time tournament record for a girl with five total hits.
Phenix City Standout Sets New Benchmark in Williamsport
She is one of two girls competing on Little League’s biggest stage, and her execution on the mound gave viewers plenty to talk about as Alabama continued its first Little League World Series appearance since 1999.
Standing out on Little League’s biggest stage is no small feat, yet Rasmus routinely dictated the pace of play. Kinley Rasmus of Phenix City Little League, daughter of former Major League pitcher Cory Rasmus, has emerged as one of the breakout stars of this year’s Little League World Series, shining as both a pitcher and a hitter to deliver a series of record-breaking performances in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Record-Breaking Statistics on the Mound and at the Plate
Rasmus permanently etched her name into the tournament record books across multiple categories during her time in South Williamsport. She also recorded eight strikeouts in a single game, matching the single-game record during her debut against Washington.
At the plate in this LLWS, Kinley has tied the all-time tournament record for a girl with five total hits. She delivered a crucial RBI double to left field against California, becoming just the fifth girl in tournament history to achieve a multi-hit game. Against Tacoma, Washington, she went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
| Game / Opponent | Pitching Performance | Batting Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (Opener) | 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K | 1 BB |
| California | — | 2-for-2, 1 BB, 1 RBI double |
| Pennsylvania | 6 K (54 pitches) | 1-for-3, 1 RBI single |
| Washington (Elimination) | — | 2-for-3, 1 Run, 1 RBI (Record-breaking 5th hit) |
A Deep Baseball Pedigree Meets Modern Stardom
Athletic excellence runs deep within the Rasmus family tree. The Phenix City Little League standout is the daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus, the niece of former pro outfielder Colby Rasmus. When she takes the field, she is also the third member of her family to play in the Little League World Series, as her father, Cory Rasmus, and his brother, Colby Rasmus, also played in Williamsport in 1999. Furthermore, Tony Rasmus, Kinley’s grandfather, was the coach of the 1999 Phenix City team, making the 2026 trip the same one her dad made with brother Colby with the same Phenix City organization.
The Atlanta Braves drafted her dad Cory in the 1st round of the 2006 MLB Draft straight out of high school, and he ended up pitching in 84 games in the bigs with the Braves and the Angels. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Kinley’s uncle Colby Rasmus in the 1st round of the 2005 MLB Draft, also straight out of high school, and he played 10 years in Major League Baseball, appearing in over 1,000 games for the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Astros, Rays, and Orioles.
An Emotional Exit and National Outpouring of Support
Alabama’s remarkable run ultimately concluded on Wednesday night when the team fell to West Side Little League from Hamilton, Ohio, in a hard-fought elimination game. With three straight wins under their belt, Phenix City had advanced to the elimination round before facing West Side Little League on Wednesday. Alabama fell to Ohio in an elimination game on Wednesday evening, bringing an end to her time at the tournament.
Following the final out, the female baseball player who set records for her performance was in tears immediately after Alabama’s final out on Wednesday night. Rasmus was in tears, covering her face with her jersey, as she walked off of the field on Wednesday night.
Incredible group of athletes that will be littered on high school sports rosters in the coming years. And yes, Kinley Rasmus is far from done.
While her chapter in Williamsport is complete, Rasmus has proven that she isn’t just one of the tournament’s best female players, but one of the best period, as her production has helped turn one of the 2026 LLWS’ biggest storylines into more than a famous baseball last name.
Keep reading
