Little League World Collection viewers have doubtless seen by now one thing in regards to the catcher from Texas that differentiates from the remainder of the gamers on the sphere: a pair of pigtails.

They belong to Ella Bruning, the backstop for Wylie Little League out of Abilene, Texas. She is just the twentieth lady ever to play within the Little League World Collection, and the one one within the 2021 area. And as Wylie continues its Little League World Collection run, Bruning will doubtless take the highlight as one of many central figures of the match.

Here is what that you must find out about Bruning:

MORE: 2021 Little League World Collection scores

How outdated is Ella Bruning?

Bruning is 12 years outdated. The Little League World Collection solely permits 11- and 12-year-old gamers into the match, as of 2019, when it formally prohibited 13-year-olds from enjoying on groups within the area.

Bruning is making historical past

When Wylie confronted off in opposition to Washington within the groups’ first recreation of the match, Bruning reached a milestone that few have ever achieved: She completed the 6-0 win with two hits and a run scored, changing into solely the third lady in LLWS historical past to have a multi-hit recreation.

She was additionally solely the seventh lady to document a success in a recreation.

“It felt actually good, as a result of it wasn’t anticipated, as a result of I’m not one of the best hitter. These had been my first two hits of the season,” Bruning stated after the sport. “Don’t inform anybody.”

There’s not an extended observe document of women catching within the Little League World Collection, both. Krissy Wendell in 1994 was the primary lady ever to play the place within the LLWS. Russia’s Tatiana Maltseva is the latest lady to swimsuit up behind the plate, when she did it in 2001.

Bruning’s thrilling LLWS debut has earned her reward from one other history-making baseball participant. Mo’ne Davis, who grew to become the primary lady to win an LLWS recreation on the mound again in 2014, stated that it has been a cool expertise to see extra ladies enjoying within the baseball world collection, in accordance with USA At this time.

“Now in 2019, and even having Emma March throughout the 12 months I used to be enjoying, continuously seeing extra ladies play, I really feel prefer it’s changing into extra regular, and so they’re going out and so they’re holding their very own,” Davis stated. “It is cool to see (Bruning) doing such nice issues. I am cheering for her and hoping that she makes it a enjoyable match and actually hoping that she enjoys it, as a result of it is such a enjoyable expertise.”

Positional versatility

Bruning advised USA At this time that when her youthful brother Dillon watched the LLWS in 2014, she had enjoyable watching Davis pitch.

That may clarify why, along with catching, Bruning has some expertise serving to her group on the mound. The USA At this time report stated Bruning grew to become the primary lady to pitch within the Southwest regional championship.

And like Davis, Bruning has additionally hung out enjoying softball. USA At this time reported that Bruning had been enjoying for a neighborhood softball group, however handed on competing within the All-American Match to be with Wylie and assist the group attain the Little League World Collection.

However so long as she’s in Williamsport, anticipate to see Bruning behind the dish. She has exhibited her means to dam pitches within the filth and showcase her arm power, which has drawn reward even from MLB.