Overview
- Kinley Rasmus struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings in Phenix City’s Little League World Series opener, tying the single-game strikeout mark by a girl pitcher set by Mo’ne Davis.
- Phenix City lost the game 2-0 in extra innings, and the team drops into the loser's bracket where it is scheduled to play again on Saturday, Aug. 22.
- Rasmus threw 81 pitches in the outing so Little League pitch-count rules make her ineligible to pitch in the next game, though she remains available to play shortstop.
- After pitching, Rasmus moved to shortstop and made a leaping, run-saving catch late in the game, and she has said she may focus more on softball and other sports after this Little League experience.
- Rasmus is part of a prominent Rasmus baseball family that includes her father Cory (an assistant coach) and uncle Colby, and she is the 25th girl to appear in LLWS play and one of two girls pitching in 2026, a spotlight that keeps attention on girls’ participation at Williamsport.