Kinley Rasmus is putting together the kind of Little League World Series run that keeps requiring updates to the record book.
The 12-year-old standout from Phenix City, Alabama, made history at the plate by becoming the girl with the most hits in a single Little League World Series. Rasmus reached five hits for the tournament after collecting two during Alabama’s 4-2 victory over Tacoma, Washington.
The win was important for more than the individual milestone. Facing elimination, Phenix City needed another victory to extend its stay in Williamsport, and Rasmus once again found a way to make an impact.
That has become a familiar theme during her tournament.
Rasmus has been producing at the plate, in the field and especially on the mound. Earlier in the World Series, she struck out eight batters in one game, matching the record set by Mo’ne Davis for the most strikeouts by a girl in a Little League World Series game.
She wasn’t finished.
Rasmus later added six more strikeouts, bringing her tournament total to 14 and tying Davis for another record, this time for the most strikeouts by a girl over the course of the tournament.
The numbers have turned Rasmus into one of the biggest stories in Williamsport, but her versatility may be even more impressive. She has been able to influence games as both a pitcher and shortstop while also delivering important hits for an Alabama team battling through elimination games.
There is also plenty of baseball history in the Rasmus family.
Kinley’s father, Cory Rasmus, reached the major leagues as a pitcher, while her uncle Colby Rasmus spent several seasons in the majors as an outfielder. Cory and Colby also know what it is like to represent Phenix City on Little League’s biggest stage. Both played for the Alabama program when it advanced to the Little League World Series championship game in 1999.
More than a quarter-century later, another Rasmus is making Williamsport memories.
This time, however, Kinley is building a baseball résumé that belongs entirely to her.
With records at the plate and a place alongside Davis in the pitching record book, Rasmus has already secured her spot in Little League World Series history. And as long as Alabama keeps surviving, she has opportunities to add even more.
