Kinley Rasmus Sets Little League World Series Hits Record for Alabama

Kinley Rasmus, a standout player for Alabama's Phenix City team, set a new Little League World Series record for the most hits by a girl during the 2026 tournament on August 25.

Her record-setting fifth hit came in the fifth inning of a rematch against Tacoma, Washington, the same team that handed Alabama its first loss earlier in the series. Rasmus also tied the girls' single-game strikeout record and the total strikeouts record for the tournament.

Rasmus, who plays as both pitcher and shortstop, drew attention as one of only two girls competing in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Her consistent offensive and pitching performance has been a key factor in Phenix City's success.

In the opening round loss to Tacoma, Rasmus pitched six shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out eight batters, tying Mo'ne Davis's strikeout record for a girl in a single LLWS game.

She added six strikeouts in the team's win over Pennsylvania on August 25, tying the overall strikeout record for girls in the series.

Kinley comes from a family with a rich baseball heritage. Her father, Cory Rasmus, and uncle, Colby Rasmus, both played in the Major Leagues and appeared in the Little League World Series in 1999. Kinley's grandfather coached the 1999 Phenix City team.

Her uncle Jeff Mathis also had a long Major League career. The family's baseball legacy is reflected in Kinley's role as Phenix City's lead pitcher and shortstop, batting second in the lineup.

During the regional tournament leading up to the LLWS, Kinley pitched in three of four games without allowing a run, including a complete-game shutout. At the plate, she went 6-for-8 with four walks, four runs, and two RBIs.

Phenix City faced Soundview Little League from Tacoma, Washington, in the first game of the 2026 Little League World Series on August 19, broadcast live on ESPN.