Williamsport, PA – Phenix City won both the Alabama State Championship, along with the Southeast Region Championship, and then reached the USA Final Four in the World Series.
In Williamsport, Phenix City’s heart-stopping run through the elimination bracket of the 2026 Little League World Series racked a bunch of records for Kinley Rasmus, their female star with deep MLB roots.
Things didn’t get off to a great start, as they fell 2-0 in extra innings to Tacoma, Washington, in spite of Kinley tying the all-time LLWS record for strikeouts by a girl in a single game. But sweet revenge was coming.
In the meantime, in the elimination bracket, Phenix City whipped California 12-2 in a dominant run-rule win to keep their season alive. Then, they won over the crowd with a thrilling 5-run, come-from-behind win over the host state champs from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Brooks Cameron delivered a dramatic, walk-off RBI single to complete the miracle extra inning comeback.
And then, there was more crowd-pleasing from the Alabama champions. This time, Phenix City came out on top with a 4-2 win in the much-anticipated rematch with the team from Washington State. This time, Kinley Rasmus used her to bat to make history, collecting her fifth hit of the tournament, officially breaking the all-time Little League World Series record for the most hits by a girl in tournament history.
On Wednesday night, August 26, Phenix City’s incredible run came to a close as the powerful Great Lakes squad from Hamilton, Ohio won,11 to 2. With help from her teammates, But Kinley Rasmus set the following records:
- Most total hits by a girl
- Most RBIs by a girl
- First girl to hit an extra-base hit
- Tied Mo’ne Davis for most pitching wins and strikeouts
Kinley Rasmus grabbed a LOT of attention, but it was not her family’s first LLWS adventure, Her grandfather, Tony Rasmus (who was himself quite a player and a former draft pick of the LA Angels) coached the 1999 Phenix City squad all the way to the LLWS United States Championship and the World Final.
That legendary 1999 team featured a couple of Tony’s sons, Colby and Cory Rasmus. Both went on to have successful professional baseball careers. A younger brother, Case Rasmus managed the 2026 Phenix City team with a roster featured his son, Ryker Rasmus and his niece. Kinley Rasmus. His brother, Cory made his return to the LLWS as an assistant coach.
The family tree includes four players who made “The Show” for a total of 31 years, along with a collegiate softball standout at Southern Miss, a Rasmus mom and aunt, Jill Rasmus. No pressure, but don’t be surprised if 12-year-old Kinley knocks down a few more barriers going forward.
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